title: Growth of melanocytes in a skin equivalent model in vitro.
abstract: We have developed a pigmented human skin equivalent by inserting a punch biopsy of human infant foreskin as a source of epidermis into a collagen lattice (dermal equivalent). Using a conventional epidermal culture medium and stimulation with UVB irradiation or 8-MOP + UVA treatment, melanocytes were found to grow out from the biopsy with the epidermal sheet. In this newly formed epidermis, melanocytes and keratinocytes were maintained in an architectural relationship similar to that present in vivo and melanocyte outgrowth could be quantitatively evaluated. Consequently, this pigmented human skin equivalent is a useful model for investigating the biology and photobiology of human skin pigmentation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Dermatologie, Inserum U 312, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bertaux
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morlière
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Courtalon
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Massé
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dubertret
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000494:pharmacology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D008730:Methoxsalen