title: Ultrastructural observations of human epidermal melanocytes cultured on polyethylene terephthalate film.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the application of polyethylene terephthalate film as a supporting material of cultured human epidermal melanocytes and to observe the ultrastructure of human epidermal melanocytes in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human epidermal melanocytes were isolated from 7- to 14-years old children foreskins and were cultured in M254 culture medium containing human melanocyte growth supplement. Cultured melanocytes were purified via a differential trypsinization method. Purified melanocytes were cultured on a film and prepared for transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparing with the cellular supporting materials polyvinylidene chloride and cellophane, human epidermal melanocytes only attached and grew on polyethylene terephthalate film. Melanocytes grown on polyethylene terephthalate film maintained an intact shape, and retained special ultrastructures characteristic of melanocytes such as dendrites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polyethylene terephthalate film proved to be an ideal cellular supporting material for the cultivation of human epidermal melanocytes. Ultrastructure of melanocytes showed melanosomes are transferred both from the tip and middle section of dendrites.
authors.affiliation: 2007 Grade, Students of Seven-Year Clinical Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, PR China.
authors.forename: Qingxia
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Weiquan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Dandan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yuanjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Tengbin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Weiqiu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yaotang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Weiying
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates