Back to Search Start Over

The regional distribution of melanosomes in the epidermis affords a localized intensive photoprotection for basal keratinocyte stem cells.

Authors :
Jiang S
Liao ZK
Jia HY
Liu XM
Wan J
Lei TC
Source :
Journal of dermatological science [J Dermatol Sci] 2021 Sep; Vol. 103 (3), pp. 130-134. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jun 29.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Human skin is a highly efficient self-renewing barrier that is critical to withstanding environmental insults. Undifferentiated keratinocyte stem cells reside in the basal layer of the epidermis and in hair follicles that continuously give rise to progenies ensuring epidermal turnover and renewal. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a proven cause of skin keratinocyte cancers, which preferentially occur at sun-exposed areas of the skin. Fortunately, melanocytes produce melanin that is packaged in specific organelles (termed melanosomes) that are then delivered to nearby keratinocytes, endowing the recipient cells with photoprotection. It has long been thought that melanosome transfer takes place stochastically from melanocytes to keratinocytes via an as-yet-unrecognized manner. However, recent studies have indicated that melanosomes are distributed regionally in the basal layer of the skin, affording localized intensive photoprotection for progenitor keratinocytes and stem cells that reside in the microenvironment of the basal epidermis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about molecular and cellular mechanisms that are responsible for the selective transfer and exclusive degradation of melanosomes in the epidermis, emphasizing implications for skin carcinogenesis.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1873-569X
Volume :
103
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of dermatological science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34238637
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2021.06.010