Morphologic Comparison of Cultured Human Epidermis Melanocytes, Amelanotic Melanocytes from Hair Follicles, and Mouse Melanoma Cells Observed by Atomic Force Microscope

The study used atomic force microscopy to examine the surface structures of cultured human epidermis melanocytes, amelanotic melanocytes from hair follicles, and mouse melanoma cells. It found that human epidermal melanocytes had complex branching with globular structures and numerous granules on their dendrites, suggesting these branches might aid in transferring melanosomes to keratinocytes. In contrast, mouse melanoma cells had simpler branching and fewer granules, while most cultured amelanotic melanocytes from human hair follicles were bipolar in shape. The study concluded that melanin granules could be expelled by exocytosis.