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Feeder-free Derivation of Melanocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
12:21

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Published on: March 3, 2016

Melanosomes are transferred from melanocytes to keratinocytes through the processes of packaging, release, uptake,

Hideya Ando1, Yoko Niki, Masaaki Ito

  • 1Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Okayama University of Science, Okayama, Japan. ando@dac.ous.ac.jp

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|December 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Melanosomes transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes via shedding vesicles. This novel pathway involves pigment globules released from melanocyte dendrites and captured by keratinocytes, facilitating pigment distribution.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Dermatology
  • Melanocyte and keratinocyte interactions

Background:

  • Shedding vesicles mediate intercellular transfer of cellular components.
  • Melanosomes are key pigment organelles within melanocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of melanosome transfer between melanocytes and keratinocytes.
  • To identify the role of shedding vesicles in melanosome transport.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of pigment globule formation and release from melanocyte dendrites.
  • Analysis of melanosome uptake by keratinocytes.
  • Investigation of the role of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) in the uptake process.

Main Results:

  • Melanosomes are packaged into pigment globules, released from melanocyte dendrites, and transferred to keratinocytes.
  • Keratinocytes internalize these pigment globules via a PAR-2-dependent mechanism.
  • Degradation of the globule membrane releases individual melanosomes into keratinocytes for perinuclear distribution.

Conclusions:

  • A novel melanosome transfer pathway via shedding vesicles (pigment globules) from melanocytes to keratinocytes is described.
  • This mechanism facilitates efficient pigment distribution within the epidermis.
  • The process involves specific cellular interactions and receptor-dependent uptake.

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