Direct Conversion of Mouse and Human Fibroblasts to Functional Melanocytes by Defined Factors
December 2014
in “
Nature Communications
”
melanocytes fibroblasts MITF SOX10 PAX3 induced melanocytes iMels pigment production dermal-epidermal junction pigmented epidermis hair follicles skin reconstitution assays autologous melanocytes pigmentary disorders melanocyte lineage commitment melanoma skin cells pigment cells skin layers skin pigmentation skin disorders skin cancer
TLDR Fibroblasts can be turned into melanocytes for potential skin treatments.
The study demonstrated that mouse and human fibroblasts could be directly converted into functional melanocytes using the transcription factors MITF, SOX10, and PAX3. These induced melanocytes (iMels) exhibited characteristics of normal melanocytes, including pigment production and integration into the dermal-epidermal junction, forming pigmented epidermis and hair follicles in skin reconstitution assays. The method offered a potential scalable source of autologous melanocytes for cell-based treatments of pigmentary disorders and provided insights into melanocyte lineage commitment. The study also suggested potential applications in understanding melanoma's etiology, although it acknowledged the possibility of iMels originating from multipotent cells in the dermis.
