Abstract
In vitro models to investigate pigmentation disorders inadequately capture the complex neuroectodermal-mesodermal signaling interplay controlling human epidermal melanogenesis. Here, we aimed at assessing the suitability of a standardized human ex vivo skin organ culture as a rapid detection-system to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the effects of topically or systemically applied candidate pigmentation modulators, under clinically relevant conditions. Full-thickness human skin samples were cultured in serum-free supplemented medium and exposed to selected test agents (hyperpigmentation controls: [Nle4, DPhe7]-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) or forskolin; hypopigmentation control: kojic acid or 4-butylresorcinol) for 3 days ex vivo, either through systemic or topical delivery routes, followed by assessing changes in tyrosinase activity in situ, gp100 protein expression (immunofluorescence microscopy) and melanin content (Warthin-Starry histochemistry) in the epidermis.
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