Structure and Function of Melanocytes: Microscopic Morphology and Cell Biology of Mouse Melanocytes in the Epidermis and Hair Follicle

The study reviewed the structure and function of mouse melanocytes in the epidermis and hair follicle, highlighting their differentiation from embryonic neural crest-derived melanoblasts. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone was found to regulate differentiation by inducing tyrosinase activity and melanosome formation. The proliferative activity of epidermal melanocytes in newborn mice was influenced by semidominant genes, while environmental factors like UV and ionizing radiation affected their morphology and function. In serum-free cultures, basic fibroblast growth factor stimulated melanoblast proliferation, whereas melanocyte-stimulating hormone induced differentiation. The study concluded that both genetic factors and local tissue environment, including hormones and growth factors, controlled the structure and function of mouse melanocytes.