title: Adult human epidermal melanocytes for neurodegeneration research.
abstract: Neuronal models for Alzheimer's disease research frequently have limitations as a result of their nonhuman origin and/or transformed state. Here we examined the potential of readily accessible neural crest-derived human epidermal melanocytes isolated from elderly individuals as a model system for Alzheimer's disease research. The amyloidogenic isoforms of amyloid precursor protein (APP; isoforms APP751/770) and amyloid beta (Abeta)1-40 were detected in epidermal melanocytes using immunocytochemistry and western blotting. Incubation of epidermal melanocytes with aggregated Abeta1-40 peptide caused a concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability, whereas age-matched dermal fibroblasts remained unaffected. These findings suggest that epidermal melanocytes from elderly donors are capable of amyloidogenesis and are sensitive to Abeta1-40 cytotoxicity. Thus, these cells may provide a readily accessible human cell model for Alzheimer's disease research.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Skin Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scally
authors.forename: Desmond J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tobin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40)