Korean J Anat.  2004 Apr;37(2):199-207.

Numerical Changes of Melanocytes in Artificial Epidermis Reconstructed by Keratinocytes and Melanocytes Coculture

• Song IH

Abstract

To follow up the change of melanocytes to keratinocytes ratio in stratified epidermis reconstructed by mixed culture of these cells, the author investigated the ratio of melanocyte to keratinocyte in the basal layer of reconstructed epidermis after induction of stratification for 1 week with cocultured melanocyte and keratinocyte in various ratio. Initial mixing ratios of melanocyte to keratinocyte were 1 : 10, 1 : 20, 1 : 40, 1 : 80. Post ratios were changed to 1 : 6.7, 1 : 10.7, 1 : 12.6, 1 : 13.8 respectively after 1 week. Eight time of initial gap reduced to two times and melanocyte to keratinocyte ratio converged to 1 : 10. To know the regulation mechanism, the author investigated the ratio of basal melanocytes to suprabasal melanotytes. The ratios were nearly same by showing 0.142, 0.140, 0.118, 0.104 respectively. These results suggest that the ratio of melanocyte to keratinocyte in reconstructed stratified epidermis in vitro was not related with initial mixing ratio and was regulated by proliferation of melanocytes controled by corresponding keratinocytes.

Keyword

Epidermal-melanin unit; Cell therapy; Melanocyte; Keratinocyte; Melan-A

MeSH Terms

Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Coculture Techniques*
Epidermis*
Follow-Up Studies
Keratinocytes*
MART-1 Antigen
Melanocytes*
MART-1 Antigen