» Articles » PMID: 22792296

Understanding the Melanocyte Distribution in Human Epidermis: an Agent-based Computational Model Approach

Overview
Journal PLoS One
Date 2012 Jul 14
PMID 22792296
Citations 14
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

The strikingly even color of human skin is maintained by the uniform distribution of melanocytes among keratinocytes in the basal layer of the human epidermis. In this work, we investigated three possible hypotheses on the mechanism by which the melanocytes and keratinocytes organize themselves to generate this pattern. We let the melanocyte migration be aided by (1) negative chemotaxis due to a substance produced by the melanocytes themselves, or (2) positive chemotaxis due to a substance produced by keratinocytes lacking direct physical contact with a melanocyte, or (3) positive chemotaxis due to a substance produced by keratinocytes in a distance-to-melanocytes dependent manner. The three hypotheses were implemented in an agent-based computational model of cellular interactions in the basal layer of the human epidermis. We found that they generate mutually exclusive predictions that can be tested by existing experimental protocols. This model forms a basis for further understanding of the communication between melanocytes and other skin cells in skin homeostasis.

Citing Articles

The Inhibitory Effect of Peptide Hydrolysate of Type I Collagen Derived from Pig Skin on Melanogenesis in B16F10 Melanoma Cells.

Zheng J, Xu D, Li T Biomolecules. 2025; 15(2).

PMID: 40001523 PMC: 11852596. DOI: 10.3390/biom15020220.


Melanin Biopolymers in Pharmacology and Medicine-Skin Pigmentation Disorders, Implications for Drug Action, Adverse Effects and Therapy.

Karkoszka M, Rok J, Wrzesniok D Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2024; 17(4).

PMID: 38675481 PMC: 11054731. DOI: 10.3390/ph17040521.


Palmar reconstruction using full-thickness skin grafts from the groin and lateral malleolus regions: A comparison of long-term outcomes.

Choi J, Lee S, Kim K, Shin J, Hwang J, Lee S Medicine (Baltimore). 2023; 102(50):e36487.

PMID: 38115368 PMC: 10727646. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036487.


Current Status of Cell-Based Therapies for Vitiligo.

Domaszewska-Szostek A, Polak A, Slupecka-Ziemilska M, Krzyzanowska M, Puzianowska-Kuznicka M Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(4).

PMID: 36834766 PMC: 9964504. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043357.


Reproduction of patterns in melanocytic proliferations by agent-based simulation and geometric modeling.

Schneckenreither G, Tschandl P, Rippinger C, Sinz C, Brunmeir D, Popper N PLoS Comput Biol. 2021; 17(2):e1008660.

PMID: 33539342 PMC: 7888658. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008660.


References
1.
Madden K, Forman S, Elston D . Quantification of melanocytes in sun-damaged skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011; 64(3):548-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.05.021. View

2.
Adra S, Sun T, MacNeil S, Holcombe M, Smallwood R . Development of a three dimensional multiscale computational model of the human epidermis. PLoS One. 2010; 5(1):e8511. PMC: 2799518. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008511. View

3.
Scott G, Haake A . Keratinocytes regulate melanocyte number in human fetal and neonatal skin equivalents. J Invest Dermatol. 1991; 97(5):776-81. DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12486726. View

4.
Le Poole I, van den Wijngaard R, Westerhof W, Dormans J, van den Berg F, Verkruisen R . Organotypic culture of human skin to study melanocyte migration. Pigment Cell Res. 1994; 7(1):33-43. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0749.1994.tb00016.x. View

5.
Holbrook K, Underwood R, Vogel A, Gown A, KIMBALL H . The appearance, density and distribution of melanocytes in human embryonic and fetal skin revealed by the anti-melanoma monoclonal antibody, HMB-45. Anat Embryol (Berl). 1989; 180(5):443-55. DOI: 10.1007/BF00305119. View