Original Article

Journal of Investigative Dermatology (1976) 67, 541–547; doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12664554

TRANSFER MECHANISM OF MELANOSOMES IN EPIDERMAL CELL CULTURE

Kuninobu Okazaki1, Makoto Uzuka1, Fujio Morikawa1, Kiyoshi Toda2 and Makoto Seiji3

  1. 1Dermatological Section, Shiseido Laboratories, Yokohama
  2. 2Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Teishin Hospital, Tokyo, Sendai, Japan
  3. 3Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan

Received 10 February 1976; Accepted 1 June 1976.

Top

Abstract

The mode of melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes in epidermal cell cultures has been examined with time-lapse cinematography and electron microscopy. A tip of a melanocyte dendrite containing melanosomes became enfolded by a recipient keratinocyte. It was then pinched off to form a cluster of melanosomes which initially seemed to be surrounded by two layers of membranes. The phagocytized dendrite was gradually decomposed and became an aggregate of melanosomes surrounded by a single membrane of the keratinocyte. The individual melanosomes were dispersed from the aggregate into the keratinocyte cytoplasm, depending on the size of melanosomes. The larger ones were single and smaller ones were complex.

The mechanism of melanosome transfer in vitro is a type of cytophagocytosis. The entire process consists of two steps: the first is a cytophagic process and the second a melanosome dispersion process. The process is influenced by various exogenous factors.

Top

References

  1. Wolff, K, Konrad, K: Melanin pigmentation: an in vivo model for studies of melanosome kinetics within keratinocytes. Sicence 1971 174: 1034–1035,
  2. Wolff, K, Jimbow, K, Fitzpatrick, TB: Experimental pigment donation in vitro. J Ultrastruct Res 1974 47: 400–419,  | Article | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  3. Mottaz, JH, Zelickson, AS: Melanin transfer: a possible phagocytic process. J Invest Dermatol 1967 49: 605–610,  | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  4. Ruprecht, KW: Pigmentierung der Dunenfeder von Gallus domesticus L: Licht- und electronenmikroscopische Untersuchungen zur Melanosomenüberlragung. Z Zellforsch 1971 112: 396–413,  | PubMed | ChemPort |
  5. Seiji, M, Toda, K, Okazaki, K, Uzuka, M, Morikawa, F, Sugiyama, M: Melanocytokeratinocyte interaction in pigment transfer. The Proceedings of the IX International Pigment Cell Conference 1975 Houston Texas, (in press)
  6. Cohen, J, Szabo, G: Study of pigment donation in vitro. Exp Cell Res 1968 50: 418–4154,  | Article | ISI |
  7. Cruckshank, CND, Harcourt, SA: Pigment donation in vitro. J Invest Dermatol 1964 42: 184,
  8. Klaus, SN: Post-transfer digestion of melanosome complexes and saltatory movement of melanin granules within mammalian epidermal cells. J Invest Dermatol 1969 53: 440–444,  | PubMed |
  9. Klaus, SN: Pigment transfer in mammalian epidermis. Arch Dermatol 1969 100: 756–762,  | Article | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  10. Prunieras, M: Interactions between keratinocytes and dendritic cells. J Invest Dermatol 1969 52: 1–17,
  11. Moellmann, G, MacGuire, J, Lerner, AB: Intercellular dynamics and the fine structure of melunocytes with special reference to the effects of MSH and cyclic AMP of microtubules and 10-nm filaments. Yale J Biol Med 1973 46: 337–360,  | PubMed | ChemPort |
  12. Wikswo, MA, Szabo, G: Effects of cytochalasin B on mammalian melanocytes and keratinocytes. J Invest Dermatol 1972 59: 163–169,  | Article | PubMed | ChemPort |
  13. Hori, U, Toda, K, Pathak, MA, Fitzpatrick, TB: A fine-structure study of the human epidermal melanosome complex and its acid phosphatase activity. J Ultrastruct Res 1968 25: 109–120,  | Article | PubMed | ChemPort |
  14. Toda, K, Pathak, MA, Parrish, JA, Fitzpatrick, TB: Alteration of racial differences in melanosome distribution in human epidermis alter exposure to ultraviolet lig. Nature (New Biol] 1972 236: 143–145,
  15. Wolff, K: Melanocyte-keratinocyte interactions in vivo: the fate of melanosomes. Yale J Biol Med 1973 46: 384–396,  | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  16. Konrad, K, Wolff, K: Hyperpigmentation, melanosome size, and distribution patterns of melanosomes. Arch Dermatol 1973 107: 853–860,  | Article | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  17. Szabo, G: Photobiology of melanogenesis: cytological aspects with special sequence to differences in racial coloration. Advances in Biology of Skin. 8: The Pigment System 1967 Edited by W Montagna, F Hu. Oxford/New York, Pergamon, pp 379–396,
  18. Szabo, G, Gerald, AB, Pathak, MA, Fitzpatrick, TB: Racial differences in the fate of melanosomes in human epidermis. Nature (Lond) 1969 222: 1081–1082,
  19. Wolff, K, Konrad, K: Phagocytosis of latex beads by epidermal keratinocytes in vivo. J Ultrastruct Res 1972 39: 262–280,  | Article | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  20. Birbeck, MSC, Mercer, EH, Barnicot, NA: The structure and formation of pigment granules in human hair. Exp Cell Res 1956 10: 505–514,  | Article | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |

Extra navigation

.
ADVERTISEMENT