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Meningeal Melanocytes in the Mouse: Distribution and Dependence on Mitf
Stefán A H Gudjohnsen1, Diahann A M Atacho1, Franck Gesbert2
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Center, University of Iceland Reykjavik, Iceland ; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, University of Iceland Reykjavik, Iceland.
Summary:
Melanocytes are pigment producing cells derived from the neural crest. They are primarily found in the skin and hair follicles, but can also be found in other tissues including the eye, ear and heart. Here, we describe the distribution of pigmented cells in C57BL/6J mouse meninges, the membranes that envelope the brain. These cells contain melanosomes of all four stages of development and they depend on Microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF), the master regulator of melanocyte development, suggesting that they are bona-fide melanocytes. The location of these pigmented cells is consistent with the location of meningeal melanomas in humans and animal models.
Significance:
Here, we document and define pigmented cells in the meninges of the mouse brain and confirm that they are melanocytes. This is important for understanding the role of this cell type and for understanding primary meningeal melanoma, a rare disease that likely arises from normal meningeal melanocytes.
Insights
Pigmented cells in the mouse brain meninges were identified as melanocytes, crucial for understanding their role and meningeal melanoma. These cells depend on Microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) for development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Melanocytes, pigment-producing cells originating from the neural crest, are typically found in skin and hair follicles.
- These cells are also present in other tissues like the eye, ear, and heart.
- The presence and function of melanocytes in the central nervous system's protective layers, the meninges, remain less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the presence and nature of pigmented cells within the meninges of the C57BL/6J mouse brain.
- To determine if these meningeal pigmented cells are bona-fide melanocytes.
- To establish the developmental dependence of these cells on key regulatory factors.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of C57BL/6J mouse meninges.
- Analysis of melanosome development stages within pigmented cells.
- Assessment of Microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) expression and dependence.
Main Results:
- Pigmented cells were identified and localized within the meninges of the mouse brain.
- These cells contained melanosomes at all four developmental stages.
- The cells' development was dependent on Microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF), confirming their identity as melanocytes.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the presence of bona-fide melanocytes in the mouse meninges.
- The location of these meningeal melanocytes aligns with known locations of meningeal melanomas.
- This finding is significant for understanding the cell of origin for primary meningeal melanoma and the broader role of melanocytes in the central nervous system.
