Growth of melanocytes in a skin equivalent model in vitro

SUMMARY We have developed a pigmented human skin equivalent by inserting a punch biopsy of human infant foreskin as a source of epidermis into a collagen lattice (dermal equivalent). Using a conventional epidermal culture medium and stimulation with UVB irradiation or 8- MOP + UVA treatment, melanocytes were found to grow out from the biopsy with the epidermal sheet. In this newly formed epidermis, melanocytes and keratinocytcs were maintained in an architectural relationship similar to that present in vivo and melanocyte outgrowth could be quantitatively evaluated. Consequently, this pigmented human skin equivalent is a useful model for investigating the biology and photobiology of human skin pigmentation.