Melanogenesis (including diseases) Flashcards
A = Tyrosine
B= L-DOPA
C= DOPAquinone
D= DOPAchrome
E- DHICA
F= DHI
G= DHICA-melanin
H= DHI-melanin
I= cysteinylDOPA
J= tyrosinase
K= also tyrosinase
L= no cysteine
M= cysteine
N= trp2
O= trp1
P= oxidation polymerization
What are melanoblasts?
Precursors to melanocytes
Unpigmented
Arise from neural crest cells
During embryogenesis, where do melanoblasts migrate to (may not develop into melanocytes in all of these locations)?
Skin
Peripheral nervous system
Bone
Cartilage of the head
Choroid of the eye
What are the primary signaling molecules in melanocyte migration and differentiation?
Wnt
endothelin-3 (ET3)
bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)
steel factor (stem cell factor)
hepatocyte growth factor
Where are epidermal melanocytes located?
Primarily basal layer
Where are follicular melanocytes located?
outer root sheath and the hair matrix
(in humans, there are also melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicle bulge)
What adhesion molecules to melanocytes express?
E and P-cadherins
What is thought to be the prime mediator of adhesion between melanocytes and keratinocytes?
E-cadherin
Other than the epidermis and hair follicle, where are mature melanocytes found?
sebaceous and sweat glands
the superficial dermis
the uvea of the eye
the cardiovascular system
the cochlea (stria vascularis)
the central nervous system and adipose tissue (leptomeninges)
Where in the ear are melanocytes found?
the cochlea (stria vascularis)
What is the function of melanocyte dendrites that weave intercellularly between keratinocytes?
transfer melanosomes to keratinocytes
What are melanosomes?
subcellular lysosome-like organelles in which melanin pigments are
synthesized and stored
What is the ratio of melanocyte to keratinocyte in the basal layer of the epidermis of dogs? Humans?
Dogs - 1:10 (up to 20)
Humans - 1:36
*same absolute number despite pigmentation, actual pigmentation is determined by melanogenic activity and melanosome number/size
What is an epidermal melanin unit?
The melanocyte and associated keratinocytes
How are melanosomes normally arranged in a keratinocyte?
“caps,” dorsal to nuclei
they are wearing little sun hats!
How do melanocytes look on normal H&E?
Clear
What special stains are best for looking for melanocytes on histopathology??
DOPA oxidase reaction
Fontana-Masson stain
Schmorl’s method
Which IHCs are best for looking at melanocytes on histopathology?
vimentin
S-100 protein
What are chromatophores?
Cells that contain pigment and reflect light in different ways that determine coloration
Found in amphibians, fish, reptiles, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Classified by appearance under white light:
- xanthophores (yellow)
- erythrophores (red)
- iridophores (reflective/iridescent)
- leukophores (white)
- melanophores (black/brown)
- cyanophores (blue)
What are the functions of melanocytes?
(1) cosmetic appearance
(2) protection against ionizing radiation (absorb UV and visible light)
(3) scavenger of cytotoxic free radicals and intermediates
*probably most against UV light, melanin is a stable free radical
4) secretion of IL-8, IL-1α, and TNFα (inflammatory)
5) inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation
6) calcium homeostasis
Melanin is the main determinant of skin and hair color. What other pigments influence coloration in mammals?
yellow carotenoids - epidermal cells
red - oxygenated hemoglobin
blue - unoxygenated hemoglobin in the dermal venules
What is constitutive pigment?
pigmentation that is genetically determined in the absence of external influences
What is facultative pigment?
pigmentation that occurs in response to stimuli (such as UV light)
What is the major differentiating factor between eumelanin, pheomelanin, and oxymelanin?
The amount of sulfur
Eumelanin = black/brown, lower sulfur
Pheomelanin = red/yellow, high sulfur
Oxymelanin = yellow/brown-red, no sulfur