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Related Concept Videos

Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

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The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
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Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
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Cells of the Epidermis01:24

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The epidermis is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
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Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

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The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
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The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular...
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Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

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Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
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Feeder-free Derivation of Melanocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Skin melanocytes: biology and development.

Mirosława Cichorek1, Małgorzata Wachulska, Aneta Stasiewicz

  • 1Department of Embryology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. Head: Mirosława Cichorek PhD.

Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii
|November 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Melanocytes, crucial for melanin production in human skin, originate from neural crest cells. Epidermal and hair follicle melanocytes, though similar, represent distinct populations with unique skin niche functions.

Keywords:
melanocytesneural crest cellsstem cells

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Melanocytes are specialized cells in human skin responsible for melanin production.
  • These cells originate from neural crest cells, distinguishing them from other melanin-producing cells like retinal pigmented epithelium.
  • Melanocytes reside in the epidermis and hair follicles, forming distinct biological populations within unique skin niches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the life cycle and characteristics of melanocytes.
  • To highlight the neural crest origin of melanocytes and its significance.
  • To differentiate between epidermal and hair follicle melanocyte populations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of developmental biology and cell biology literature.
  • Analysis of melanocyte differentiation, migration, and proliferation processes.
  • Comparative study of melanocyte populations in different skin niches.

Main Results:

  • Melanocyte life cycle involves differentiation, migration, proliferation, maturation, and cell death.
  • Neural crest origin is a defining feature of melanocytes.
  • Epidermal and hair follicle melanocytes exhibit commonalities but are biologically distinct populations.

Conclusions:

  • Melanocytes are critical for skin pigmentation and possess a complex life cycle.
  • Understanding melanocyte origins and differentiation is key to their function.
  • Distinct populations of melanocytes exist in the epidermis and hair follicles, adapted to their specific niches.