Melanocytes In Mouse Skin Research Articles

MiR-137 affects melanin synthesis in mouse melanocyte by repressing the expression of c-Kit and Tyrp2 in SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway.

Previously, we created miR-137 overexpressing transgenic mice that produced lighten color phenotypes including gray mice phenotype. However, the miR-137 functional role in coat color regulation is still not well understood. In this study, the quantity of melanin granule and the relative expression of TYRP2 in gray miR-137 overexpression transgenic mouse skin were significantly lower than that in C57BL/6J black mouse skin. The mRNA and protein expression level of c-Kit and c-Kit downstream gene Tyrp2 in miR-137 expression plasmid-transfected melanocytes were significantly down-regulated comparing with that of the control melanocytes. In melanocytes, miR-137 overexpression could decrease the enhanced expression of c-Kit and Tyrp2 and the increased melanin production caused by UV treatment. The target relationship of miR-137 and c-Kit was identified by luciferase assay. The results suggest that miR-137 could inhibit melanogenesis in mouse skin melanocytes by repressing the expression of c-Kit and Tyrp2 in SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway.

MicroRNA-21a-5p Functions on the Regulation of Melanogenesis by Targeting Sox5 in Mouse Skin Melanocytes.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating almost all biological processes. miRNAs bind to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs by sequence matching. In a previous study, we demonstrated that miR-21 was differently expressed in alpaca skin with different hair color. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms for miR-21 to regulate the coat color are not yet completely understood. In this study, we transfected miR-21a-5p into mouse melanocytes and demonstrated its function on melanogenesis of miR-21a-5p by targeting Sox5, which inhibits melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes. The results suggested that miR-21a-5p targeted Sox5 gene based on the binding site in 3′ UTR of Sox5 and overexpression of miR-21a-5p significantly down-regulated Sox5 mRNA and protein expression. Meanwhile, mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) and Tyrosinase (TYR) were up-regulated, which subsequently make the melanin production in melanocytes increased. The results suggest that miR-21a-5p regulates melanogenesis via MITF by targeting Sox5.

Biological characteristics of mouse skin melanocytes.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the optimal passage number according to the biological characteristics of mouse skin melanocytes from different passages. Skin punch biopsies harvested from the dorsal region of 2-day old mice were used to establish melanocyte cultures. The cells from passage 4, 7, 10 and 13 were collected and evaluated for their melanogenic activity. Histochemical staining for tyrosinase (TYR) activity and immunostaining for the melanocyte specific markers including S-100 antigen, TYR, tyrosinase related protein 1 (TYRP1), tyrosinase related protein 2 (TYRP2) and micropthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) confirmed purity and melanogenic capacity of melanocytes from different passages, with better melanogenic activity of passage 10 and 13 cells being observed. Treatment of passage 13 melanocytes with α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) showed increased expression of MITF, TYR and TYRP2 mRNA. However, considering the TYR mRNA dramatically high expression which is the characteristics of melanoma cells, melanocytes from passage 10 was the optimal passage number for the further research. Our results demonstrate culture of pure populations of mouse melanocytes to at least 10 passages and illustrate the potential utility of passage 10 cells for studies of intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of genes controlling pigmentation and coat color in mouse.

MicroRNA-27a-3p Inhibits Melanogenesis in Mouse Skin Melanocytes by Targeting Wnt3a.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the regulation of almost all the biological processes, including melanogenesis. MiR-27a-3p is nearly six times higher in white alpaca skin compared to brown skin, which indicates that miR-27a-3p may be a candidate regulator for melanogenesis. Wnt3a plays an important role in promoting melanoblasts to differentiate into melanocytes and melanogenesis. To confirm the function of miR-27a-3p to melanogenesis in mammals, miR-27a-3p mimic, inhibitor and their negative control were transfected into mouse melanocytes. As a result, miR-27a-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a at post-transcriptional level. A significant decrease in Wnt3a luciferase activity was observed in 293T cells co-transfected with the matched luciferase reporter vector and pre-miR-27a. Furthermore, the presence of exogenous miR-27a-3p significantly decreased Wnt3a protein expression rather than mRNA and reduced β-catenin mRNA levels in melanocytes. The over-expression of miR-27a-3p significantly increased the melanin content of melanocytes. However, miR-27a-3p inhibitor performs an opposite effect on melanogenesis. Wnt3a is one target of miR-27a-3p. MiR-27a-3p could inhibit Wnt3a protein amount by post-transcriptional regulation and melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes. Previous studies reported that Wnt3a promoted melanogenensis in mouse melanocytes. Thus, miR-27-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a protein expression.

The Three-Dimensional Human Skin Reconstruct Model: a Tool to Study Normal Skin and Melanoma Progression

Most in vitro studies in experimental skin biology have been done in 2-dimensional (2D) monocultures, while accumulating evidence suggests that cells behave differently when they are grown within a 3D extra-cellular matrix and also interact with other cells (1-5). Mouse models have been broadly utilized to study tissue morphogenesis in vivo. However mouse and human skin have significant differences in cellular architecture and physiology, which makes it difficult to extrapolate mouse studies to humans. Since melanocytes in mouse skin are mostly localized in hair follicles, they have distinct biological properties from those of humans, which locate primarily at the basal layer of the epidermis. The recent development of 3D human skin reconstruct models has enabled the field to investigate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions between different cell types. The reconstructs consist of a "dermis" with fibroblasts embedded in a collagen I matrix, an "epidermis", which is comprised of stratified, differentiated keratinocytes and a functional basement membrane, which separates epidermis from dermis. Collagen provides scaffolding, nutrient delivery, and potential for cell-to-cell interaction. The 3D skin models incorporating melanocytic cells recapitulate natural features of melanocyte homeostasis and melanoma progression in human skin. As in vivo, melanocytes in reconstructed skin are localized at the basement membrane interspersed with basal layer keratinocytes. Melanoma cells exhibit the same characteristics reflecting the original tumor stage (RGP, VGP and metastatic melanoma cells) in vivo. Recently, dermal stem cells have been identified in the human dermis (6). These multi-potent stem cells can migrate to the epidermis and differentiate to melanocytes.

The Three-Dimensional Human Skin Reconstruct Model: a Tool to Study Normal Skin and Melanoma Progression

Most in vitro studies in experimental skin biology have been done in 2-dimensional (2D) monocultures, while accumulating evidence suggests that cells behave differently when they are grown within a 3D extra-cellular matrix and also interact with other cells (1-5). Mouse models have been broadly utilized to study tissue morphogenesis in vivo. However mouse and human skin have significant differences in cellular architecture and physiology, which makes it difficult to extrapolate mouse studies to humans. Since melanocytes in mouse skin are mostly localized in hair follicles, they have distinct biological properties from those of humans, which locate primarily at the basal layer of the epidermis. The recent development of 3D human skin reconstruct models has enabled the field to investigate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions between different cell types. The reconstructs consist of a "dermis" with fibroblasts embedded in a collagen I matrix, an "epidermis", which is comprised of stratified, differentiated keratinocytes and a functional basement membrane, which separates epidermis from dermis. Collagen provides scaffolding, nutrient delivery, and potential for cell-to-cell interaction. The 3D skin models incorporating melanocytic cells recapitulate natural features of melanocyte homeostasis and melanoma progression in human skin. As in vivo, melanocytes in reconstructed skin are localized at the basement membrane interspersed with basal layer keratinocytes. Melanoma cells exhibit the same characteristics reflecting the original tumor stage (RGP, VGP and metastatic melanoma cells) in vivo. Recently, dermal stem cells have been identified in the human dermis (6). These multi-potent stem cells can migrate to the epidermis and differentiate to melanocytes.

The chemokine SDF-1/CXCL12 regulates the migration of melanocyte progenitors in mouse hair follicles

Mouse skin melanocytes originate from the neural crest and subsequently invade the epidermis and migrate into the hair follicles (HF) where they proliferate and differentiate. Here we demonstrate a role for the chemokine SDF-1/CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in regulating the migration and positioning of melanoblasts during HF formation and cycling. CXCR4 expression by melanoblasts was upregulated during the anagen phase of the HF cycle. CXCR4-expressing cells in the HF also expressed the stem cell markers nestin and LEX, the neural crest marker SOX10 and the cell proliferation marker PCNA. SDF-1 was widely expressed along the path taken by migrating CXCR4-expressing cells in the outer root sheath (ORS), suggesting that SDF-1-mediated signaling might be required for the migration of CXCR4 cells. Skin sections from CXCR4-deficient mice, and skin explants treated with the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, contained melanoblasts abnormally concentrated in the epidermis, consistent with a defect in their migration. SDF-1 acted as a chemoattractant for FACS-sorted cells isolated from the anagen skin of CXCR4–EGFP transgenic mice in vitro, and AMD3100 inhibited the SDF-1-induced migratory response. Together, these data demonstrate an important role for SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling in directing the migration and positioning of melanoblasts in the HF.

Qualitative and Quantitative Catalog of Tyrosinase Alternative Transcripts in Normal Murine Skin Melanocytes as a Basis for Detecting Melanoma-Specific Changes

The decline in cell differentiation commonly associated with malignant progression may be due in part to an increase in alternative splicing of the pre-mRNAs of tissue-specific genes. As a necessary basis for investigating this possibility in a murine model of cutaneous melanoma, the complete qualitative and quantitative inventory of alternative transcripts was sought for the tyrosinase gene in normal mouse skin melanocytes, as this gene plays a key role in melanization. Of 111 alternative mRNAs predicted from known splice sites in the gene, 19 isoforms were detected, and their abundances determined, through a systematized protocol involving splice junction-specific probes, exon-specific restriction enzymes, and quantitative RT-PCR with an RNA internal standard. No unpredicted tyrosinase transcripts were discovered. Two of the transcripts, each involving an intra-exonic deletion and present at relatively low abundance in normal skin, were subsequently found to be consistently upregulated in melanomas.

Induction of active melanocytes in mouse skin by carcinogens: a new method for detection of skin carcinogens.

Application of potent skin carcinogens, such as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, 3-methylcholanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, induced numerous dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa)-positive cells in the interfollicular epidermis of C57BL/6 mice in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Chrysene, a weak skin carcinogen, and croton oil, a tumor promoter, also induced 3--4 times more dopa-positive cells than acetone. Liver carcinogens, such as 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene and N-2-acetylaminofluorene, and non-carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene and pyrene, did not induce increase in these cells. These results indicate that increase in the number of dopa-positive cells after application of chemicals is well correlated with the abilities of these compounds to induce skin carcinogenesis and suppress sebaceous glands.