Visualization and Quantification of Basal Melanocytes Within a 3D Bioengineered Skin Equivalent

Determining the melanogenic capacity of basal melanocytes is vital when studying skin pigmentation and related disorders. Human skin equivalents (HSEs) can be used as a valuable tool to study pigmentation in vitro, providing in-depth analysis and characterization of molecular mechanisms associated with melanogenesis. Here, we describe a method to both visualize and quantify basal melanocytes within the epidermis of a pigmented HSE. By using an image analysis pipeline, we can determine how melanocyte density changes in response to treatment and how melanogenic activity is altered using immunofluorescent staining techniques.