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Indian Journal of Dermatology,... 2019Autologous melanocyte transplantation plays an important role in the treatment of vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Autologous melanocyte transplantation plays an important role in the treatment of vitiligo.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have indicated that, compared with melanocytes growing in monolayers, melanocyte spheroids have a better survival in growth factor- and serum-deprived conditions.
METHODS
Melanocyte spheroids were obtained from human epidermis by repetitive long-term trypsinization and maintained an aggregated morphology for a short period in certain conditions.
RESULTS
Melanocyte spheroids were capable of growing into normal dendritic melanocytes in monolayer when they were harvested and reinoculated in 24-well plates. Immunohistochemical analysis of the melanocyte spheroids revealed that they were positive for HMB45, a melanosome-specific marker. No melanomas occurred when melanocyte spheroids were transplanted into mice.
CONCLUSION
Our study provides a promising approach for melanocyte transplantation to treat vitiligo.
Topics: Animals; Cell Transplantation; Cells, Cultured; Foreskin; Humans; Male; Melanocytes; Mice; Mice, Nude; Spheroids, Cellular; Time Factors; Trypsin
PubMed: 30785123
DOI: 10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_275_17 -
Acta Biochimica Et Biophysica Sinica Apr 2014The melanocyte stem cells of the hair follicle provide an attractive system for the study of the stem cells. Successful regeneration of a functional organ relies on the... (Review)
Review
The melanocyte stem cells of the hair follicle provide an attractive system for the study of the stem cells. Successful regeneration of a functional organ relies on the organized and timely orchestration of molecular events among distinct stem/progenitor cell populations. The stem cells are regulated by communication with their specialized microenvironment known as the niche. Despite remarkable progress in understanding stem cell-intrinsic behavior, the molecular nature of the extrinsic factors provided to the stem cells by the niche microenvironment remains poorly understood. In this regard, the bulge niche of the mammalian hair follicle offers an excellent model for study. It holds two resident populations of SCs: epidermal stem cells and melanocyte stem cells. While their behavior is tightly coordinated, very little of the crosstalk involved is known. This review summarized the recent development in trying to understand the regulation of melanocyte and melanocyte stem cells. A better understanding of the normal regulation and behaviors of the melanocytes and the melanocyte stem cells will help to improve the clinical applications in regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, and aging.
Topics: Humans; Melanocytes; Signal Transduction; Stem Cells
PubMed: 24449785
DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmt145 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2015Melanocytes in the skin play an indispensable role in the pigmentation of skin and its appendages. It is well known that the embryonic origin of melanocytes is neural... (Review)
Review
Melanocytes in the skin play an indispensable role in the pigmentation of skin and its appendages. It is well known that the embryonic origin of melanocytes is neural crest cells. In adult skin, functional melanocytes are continuously repopulated by the differentiation of melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) residing in the epidermis of the skin. Many preceding studies have led to significant discoveries regarding the cellular and molecular characteristics of this unique stem cell population. The alteration of McSCs has been also implicated in several skin abnormalities and disease conditions. To date, our knowledge of McSCs largely comes from studying the stem cell niche of mouse hair follicles. Suggested by several anatomical differences between mouse and human skin, there could be distinct features associated with mouse and human McSCs as well as their niches in the skin. Recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) research have provided us with useful tools to potentially acquire a substantial amount of human McSCs and functional melanocytes for research and regenerative medicine applications. This review highlights recent studies and progress involved in understanding the development of cutaneous melanocytes and the regulation of McSCs.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Hair Follicle; Humans; Melanocytes; Pluripotent Stem Cells; Regenerative Medicine
PubMed: 26703580
DOI: 10.3390/ijms161226207 -
Current Biology : CB Dec 2009
Review
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Melanocytes; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; Neural Crest; Schwann Cells
PubMed: 20064420
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.10.063 -
Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research Aug 2010Over 10 years have passed since the first Sox gene was implicated in melanocyte development. Since then, we have discovered that SOX5, SOX9, SOX10 and SOX18 all... (Review)
Review
Over 10 years have passed since the first Sox gene was implicated in melanocyte development. Since then, we have discovered that SOX5, SOX9, SOX10 and SOX18 all participate as transcription factors that affect key melanocytic genes in both regulatory and modulatory fashions. Both SOX9 and SOX10 play major roles in the establishment and normal function of the melanocyte; SOX10 has been shown to heavily influence melanocyte development and SOX9 has been implicated in melanogenesis in the adult. Despite these advances, the precise cellular and molecular details of how these SOX proteins are regulated and interact during all stages of the melanocyte life cycle remain unknown. Improper regulation of SOX9 or SOX10 is also associated with cancerous transformation, and thus understanding the normal function of SOX proteins in the melanocyte will be key to revealing how these proteins contribute to melanoma.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Melanocytes; Melanoma; SOX Transcription Factors
PubMed: 20444197
DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2010.00711.x -
Journal of Environmental Science and... 2005The human melanocytes of the skin, hair, eyes, inner ears, and covering of the brain provide physiologic functions important in organ development and maintenance.... (Review)
Review
The human melanocytes of the skin, hair, eyes, inner ears, and covering of the brain provide physiologic functions important in organ development and maintenance. Melanocytes develop from embryonic neural crest progenitors and share certain traits with other neural crest derivatives found in the adrenal medulla and peripheral nervous system. The distinctive metabolic feature of melanocytes is the synthesis of melanin pigments from tyrosine and cysteine precursors involving over 100 gene products. These complex biochemical mechanisms create inherent liabilities for melanocytic cells if intracellular systems necessary for compartmentalization, detoxification, or repair are compromised. Melanocyte disorders may involve pigmentation, sensory functions, autoimmunity, or malignancy. Environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation and chemical exposures, combined with heritable traits, represent the principal hazards associated with melanocyte disorders.
Topics: Autoimmunity; Cochlea; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Epidermis; Humans; Melanins; Melanocytes; Melanosomes; Meninges; Photobiology; Pigmentation; Pigmentation Disorders; Skin Diseases; Uvea
PubMed: 16291526
DOI: 10.1080/10590500500234970 -
The Journal of Histochemistry and... Feb 2002Melanocytes are cells of neural crest origin. In the human epidermis, they form a close association with keratinocytes via their dendrites. Melanocytes are well known... (Review)
Review
Melanocytes are cells of neural crest origin. In the human epidermis, they form a close association with keratinocytes via their dendrites. Melanocytes are well known for their role in skin pigmentation, and their ability to produce and distribute melanin has been studied extensively. One of the factors that regulates melanocytes and skin pigmentation is the locally produced melanocortin peptide alpha-MSH. The effects of alpha-MSH on melanogenesis are mediated via the MC-1R and tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the melanogenesis pathway. Binding of alpha-MSH to its receptor increases tyrosinase activity and eumelanin production, which accounts for the skin-darkening effect of alpha-MSH. Other alpha-MSH-related melanocortin peptides, such as ACTH1-17 and desacetylated alpha-MSH, are also agonists at the MC-1R and could regulate melanocyte function. Recent evidence shows that melanocytes have other functions in the skin in addition to their ability to produce melanin. They are able to secrete a wide range of signal molecules, including cytokines, POMC peptides, catecholamines, and NO in response to UV irradiation and other stimuli. Potential targets of these secretory products are keratinocytes, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, mast cells, and endothelial cells, all of which express receptors for these signal molecules. Melanocytes may therefore act as important local regulators of a range of skin cells. It has been shown that alpha-MSH regulates NO production from melanocytes, and it is possible that the melanocortins regulate the release of other signalling molecules from melanocytes. Therefore, the melanocortin signaling system is one of the important regulators of skin homeostasis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Melanocytes; Nitric Oxide; Skin Pigmentation; alpha-MSH
PubMed: 11799132
DOI: 10.1177/002215540205000201 -
European Journal of Cell Biology 2014Melanoma is a severe type of skin cancer with a high metastasis potential and poor survival rates once metastasized. The causes of melanoma formation are multifactorial... (Review)
Review
Melanoma is a severe type of skin cancer with a high metastasis potential and poor survival rates once metastasized. The causes of melanoma formation are multifactorial and not fully understood. Several signaling cascades such as the RAS/RAF/ERK1/2 pathway, the PI3K/AKT pathway, RAC1 and NF-κB are involved in melanoma initiation and progression. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are induced by these signal transduction cascades, and they play a fundamental role in melanomagenic processes. Cells derived from the melanocytic lineage are particularly sensitive to an increase in ROS, and thus, melanoma cells rely on efficient antioxidant measures. This review summarizes the causes and consequences of ROS generation in melanocytes and melanoma and discusses the potential of pro-oxidant therapy in melanoma treatment.
Topics: Animals; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cellular Senescence; Humans; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 24342719
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2013.11.005 -
The American Journal of Dermatopathology Dec 1998The nature of Spitz nevi is poorly understood, and their distinction from malignant melanoma can be difficult. Although there is general agreement on the diagnostic... (Review)
Review
The nature of Spitz nevi is poorly understood, and their distinction from malignant melanoma can be difficult. Although there is general agreement on the diagnostic criteria, experts continue to have some differences, and controversial cases are not rare. A major obstacle to progress in this area is the lack of basic knowledge about melanocyte differentiation in Spitz nevi, as compared with ordinary nevi and malignant melanomas. Based on the hypothesis that normal melanocytes may have a differentiation pathway with discrete stages, it is suggested that the features of Spitz nevi may reflect homeostatic mechanisms governing maturation in the melanocyte differentiation pathway, whereas those of malignant melanomas may reflect carcinogen-induced aberrations. This perspective may be helpful in the continuing effort to develop optimal criteria for the differential diagnosis of Spitz nevi from malignant melanomas.
Topics: Cell Differentiation; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Melanocytes; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Nevus; Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell; Skin; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 9855351
DOI: 10.1097/00000372-199812000-00004 -
Laboratory Investigation; a Journal of... Jun 2017Certain transcription factors have vital roles in lineage development, including specification of cell types and control of differentiation. Microphthalmia-associated... (Review)
Review
Certain transcription factors have vital roles in lineage development, including specification of cell types and control of differentiation. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a key transcription factor for melanocyte development and differentiation. MITF regulates expression of numerous pigmentation genes to promote melanocyte differentiation, as well as fundamental genes for maintaining cell homeostasis, including genes encoding proteins involved in apoptosis (eg, BCL2) and the cell cycle (eg, CDK2). Loss-of-function mutations of MITF cause Waardenburg syndrome type IIA, whose phenotypes include depigmentation due to melanocyte loss, whereas amplification or specific mutation of MITF can be an oncogenic event that is seen in a subset of familial or sporadic melanomas. In this article, we review basic features of MITF biological function and highlight key unresolved questions regarding this remarkable transcription factor.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Mice; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 28263292
DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2017.9