Neural Crest - Melanocyte Development - Revision history

Z8600021 at 12:31, 14 February 2018

2018-02-14T12:31:20Z

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	See also Modeling melanoblast development ~~<ref name=~~PMID22915137~~><pubmed>22915137</pubmed></ref>~~		See also Modeling melanoblast development{{#pmid:22915137\|PMID22915137}}
	:'''Links:''' [[Neural Crest Development]]		:'''Links:''' [[Neural Crest Development]]

Z8600021 at 12:30, 14 February 2018

2018-02-14T12:30:03Z

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	===Reviews===		===Reviews===
	~~{{#pmid:221310010}}~~

	{{#pmid:20444197}}		{{#pmid:20444197}}
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	{{#pmid:20211169}}		{{#pmid:20211169}}

	{{#~~pmid18935965~~}}		{{#pmid:18935965}}

	===Articles===		===Articles===

Z8600021 at 12:29, 14 February 2018

2018-02-14T12:29:16Z

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	* '''The exon junction complex (EJC) component Magoh regulates proliferation and expansion of neural crest-derived melanocytes.'''{{#pmid:23333945\|PMID23333945}} "Defective melanoblast development and function underlies many disorders including Waardenburg syndrome and melanoma. Understanding the genetic regulation of melanoblast development will help elucidate the etiology of these and other neurocristopathies. Here we demonstrate that Magoh, a component of the exon junction complex, is required for normal melanoblast development. Magoh haploinsufficient mice are hypopigmented and exhibit robust genetic interactions with the transcription factor, Sox10. These phenotypes are caused by a marked reduction in melanoblast number beginning at mid-embryogenesis."		* '''The exon junction complex (EJC) component Magoh regulates proliferation and expansion of neural crest-derived melanocytes.'''{{#pmid:23333945\|PMID23333945}} "Defective melanoblast development and function underlies many disorders including Waardenburg syndrome and melanoma. Understanding the genetic regulation of melanoblast development will help elucidate the etiology of these and other neurocristopathies. Here we demonstrate that Magoh, a component of the exon junction complex, is required for normal melanoblast development. Magoh haploinsufficient mice are hypopigmented and exhibit robust genetic interactions with the transcription factor, Sox10. These phenotypes are caused by a marked reduction in melanoblast number beginning at mid-embryogenesis."
	* '''Generation of human melanocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells''' ~~<ref><pubmed>~~21249204~~</pubmed>\| [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3020956 PMC3020956]~~ \| ~~[http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0016182 PLoS One]</ref>~~ "We generated iPS cell lines from human dermal fibroblasts using the Yamanaka factors (SOX2, OCT3/4, and KLF4, with or without c-MYC). These iPS cell lines were subsequently used to form embryoid bodies (EBs) and then differentiated into melanocytes via culture supplementation with Wnt3a, SCF, and ET-3. Seven weeks after inducing differentiation, pigmented cells expressing melanocyte markers such as MITF, tyrosinase, SILV, and TYRP1, were detected. Melanosomes were identified in these pigmented cells by electron microscopy, and global gene expression profiling of the pigmented cells showed a high similarity to that of human primary foreskin-derived melanocytes"
	* '''Schwann cell precursors from nerve innervation are a cellular origin of melanocytes in skin'''~~<ref name=~~PMID19837037~~><pubmed>19837037</pubmed></ref>~~"Current opinion holds that pigment cells, melanocytes, are derived from neural crest cells produced at the dorsal neural tube and that migrate under the epidermis to populate all parts of the skin. Here, we identify growing nerves projecting throughout the body as a stem/progenitor niche containing Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) from which large numbers of skin melanocytes originate. SCPs arise as a result of lack of neuronal specification by Hmx1 homeobox gene function in the neural crest ventral migratory pathway. Schwann cell and melanocyte development share signaling molecules with both the glial and melanocyte cell fates intimately linked to nerve contact and regulated in an opposing manner by Neuregulin and soluble signals including insulin-like growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. These results reveal SCPs as a cellular origin of melanocytes, and have broad implications on the molecular mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation during development, in health and pigmentation disorders."		* '''Generation of human melanocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells'''{{#pmid:21249204\|PMID21249204}} "We generated iPS cell lines from human dermal fibroblasts using the Yamanaka factors (SOX2, OCT3/4, and KLF4, with or without c-MYC). These iPS cell lines were subsequently used to form embryoid bodies (EBs) and then differentiated into melanocytes via culture supplementation with Wnt3a, SCF, and ET-3. Seven weeks after inducing differentiation, pigmented cells expressing melanocyte markers such as MITF, tyrosinase, SILV, and TYRP1, were detected. Melanosomes were identified in these pigmented cells by electron microscopy, and global gene expression profiling of the pigmented cells showed a high similarity to that of human primary foreskin-derived melanocytes"

			* '''Schwann cell precursors from nerve innervation are a cellular origin of melanocytes in skin'''{{#pmid:19837037\|PMID19837037}} "Current opinion holds that pigment cells, melanocytes, are derived from neural crest cells produced at the dorsal neural tube and that migrate under the epidermis to populate all parts of the skin. Here, we identify growing nerves projecting throughout the body as a stem/progenitor niche containing Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) from which large numbers of skin melanocytes originate. SCPs arise as a result of lack of neuronal specification by Hmx1 homeobox gene function in the neural crest ventral migratory pathway. Schwann cell and melanocyte development share signaling molecules with both the glial and melanocyte cell fates intimately linked to nerve contact and regulated in an opposing manner by Neuregulin and soluble signals including insulin-like growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. These results reveal SCPs as a cellular origin of melanocytes, and have broad implications on the molecular mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation during development, in health and pigmentation disorders."
	\|}		\|}
	{\| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"		{\| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
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	[[File:Melanocyte development cartoon.jpg\|600px]]		[[File:Melanocyte development cartoon.jpg\|600px]]

	Overview of Melanocyte Development in Mammals and Zebrafish~~<ref name=PMID25670789><pubmed>~~25670789~~</pubmed>~~\| ~~[http://dev.biologists.org/content/142/4/620.full?sid=9c0c0b67-790f-42a6-8551-73876896a0d6 Development]~~		Overview of Melanocyte Development in Mammals and Zebrafish{{#pmid:25670789\|PMID25670789}}
	~~</ref>~~

	==Skin Pigmentation==		==Skin Pigmentation==
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	==Mouse Melanocytes==		==Mouse Melanocytes==
	Developing mouse ((bt9J/bt9J) melanoblast distribution in whole mount and trunk detail (green - β-galactosidase stained).~~<ref name=PMID18454205><pubmed>~~18454205~~</pubmed>~~\| ~~[http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1000003 PLoS Genet.]</ref>~~		Developing mouse ((bt9J/bt9J) melanoblast distribution in whole mount and trunk detail (green - β-galactosidase stained).{{#pmid:18454205\|PMID18454205}}
	<gallery>		<gallery>
	Mouse_melanoblast_distribution_02.jpg\|E12.5		Mouse_melanoblast_distribution_02.jpg\|E12.5
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	[[File:Zebrafish melanocyte development model.jpg]]		[[File:Zebrafish melanocyte development model.jpg]]

	Erbb3b gene is required to establish melanocyte stem cells in the embryo that are responsible for regenerating melanocytes after melanocytes are ablated in the larval zebrafish. Because this adult stem cell is not required for the development of embryonic melanocytes, we conclude that adult melanocyte stem cells develop in parallel to the embryonic tissues that they regulate.~~<ref><pubmed>~~19578401~~</pubmed>\| [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699538 PMC2699538]~~ \| ~~[http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1000544 PLoS Genet.]</ref>~~		Erbb3b gene is required to establish melanocyte stem cells in the embryo that are responsible for regenerating melanocytes after melanocytes are ablated in the larval zebrafish. Because this adult stem cell is not required for the development of embryonic melanocytes, we conclude that adult melanocyte stem cells develop in parallel to the embryonic tissues that they regulate.{{#pmid:19578401\|PMID19578401}}

	==Inner Ear Melanocytes==		==Inner Ear Melanocytes==
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	===Articles===		===Articles===
	~~{{#pmid:20848220}}~~

	{{#pmid:18703590}}		{{#pmid:18703590}}

Z8600021 at 12:25, 14 February 2018

2018-02-14T12:25:59Z

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	{{Header}}		{{Header}}
	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
	[[File:Mouse melanoblast distribution 01.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Mouse melanoblast distribution (E12.5 - E16.5)~~<ref name=PMID18454205><pubmed>~~18454205~~</pubmed>~~\| ~~[http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1000003 PLoS Genet.]</ref>~~]]		[[File:Mouse melanoblast distribution 01.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Mouse melanoblast distribution (E12.5 - E16.5){{#pmid:18454205\|PMID18454205}}]]
	Melanocytes are located on the surface of the body in the skin and also associated with internal structures, such as the inner ear and eye. Melanocytes in the skin synthesise the pigment melanin that is then transferred to keratinocytes.		Melanocytes are located on the surface of the body in the skin and also associated with internal structures, such as the inner ear and eye. Melanocytes in the skin synthesise the pigment melanin that is then transferred to keratinocytes.

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	* '''The exon junction complex (EJC) component Magoh regulates proliferation and expansion of neural crest-derived melanocytes.'''~~<ref name=~~PMID23333945~~><pubmed>23333945</pubmed></ref>~~ "Defective melanoblast development and function underlies many disorders including Waardenburg syndrome and melanoma. Understanding the genetic regulation of melanoblast development will help elucidate the etiology of these and other neurocristopathies. Here we demonstrate that Magoh, a component of the exon junction complex, is required for normal melanoblast development. Magoh haploinsufficient mice are hypopigmented and exhibit robust genetic interactions with the transcription factor, Sox10. These phenotypes are caused by a marked reduction in melanoblast number beginning at mid-embryogenesis."		* '''The exon junction complex (EJC) component Magoh regulates proliferation and expansion of neural crest-derived melanocytes.'''{{#pmid:23333945\|PMID23333945}} "Defective melanoblast development and function underlies many disorders including Waardenburg syndrome and melanoma. Understanding the genetic regulation of melanoblast development will help elucidate the etiology of these and other neurocristopathies. Here we demonstrate that Magoh, a component of the exon junction complex, is required for normal melanoblast development. Magoh haploinsufficient mice are hypopigmented and exhibit robust genetic interactions with the transcription factor, Sox10. These phenotypes are caused by a marked reduction in melanoblast number beginning at mid-embryogenesis."
	* '''Generation of human melanocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells''' <ref><pubmed>21249204</pubmed>\| [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3020956 PMC3020956] \| [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0016182 PLoS One]</ref> "We generated iPS cell lines from human dermal fibroblasts using the Yamanaka factors (SOX2, OCT3/4, and KLF4, with or without c-MYC). These iPS cell lines were subsequently used to form embryoid bodies (EBs) and then differentiated into melanocytes via culture supplementation with Wnt3a, SCF, and ET-3. Seven weeks after inducing differentiation, pigmented cells expressing melanocyte markers such as MITF, tyrosinase, SILV, and TYRP1, were detected. Melanosomes were identified in these pigmented cells by electron microscopy, and global gene expression profiling of the pigmented cells showed a high similarity to that of human primary foreskin-derived melanocytes"		* '''Generation of human melanocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells''' <ref><pubmed>21249204</pubmed>\| [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3020956 PMC3020956] \| [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0016182 PLoS One]</ref> "We generated iPS cell lines from human dermal fibroblasts using the Yamanaka factors (SOX2, OCT3/4, and KLF4, with or without c-MYC). These iPS cell lines were subsequently used to form embryoid bodies (EBs) and then differentiated into melanocytes via culture supplementation with Wnt3a, SCF, and ET-3. Seven weeks after inducing differentiation, pigmented cells expressing melanocyte markers such as MITF, tyrosinase, SILV, and TYRP1, were detected. Melanosomes were identified in these pigmented cells by electron microscopy, and global gene expression profiling of the pigmented cells showed a high similarity to that of human primary foreskin-derived melanocytes"
	* '''Schwann cell precursors from nerve innervation are a cellular origin of melanocytes in skin'''<ref name=PMID19837037><pubmed>19837037</pubmed></ref>"Current opinion holds that pigment cells, melanocytes, are derived from neural crest cells produced at the dorsal neural tube and that migrate under the epidermis to populate all parts of the skin. Here, we identify growing nerves projecting throughout the body as a stem/progenitor niche containing Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) from which large numbers of skin melanocytes originate. SCPs arise as a result of lack of neuronal specification by Hmx1 homeobox gene function in the neural crest ventral migratory pathway. Schwann cell and melanocyte development share signaling molecules with both the glial and melanocyte cell fates intimately linked to nerve contact and regulated in an opposing manner by Neuregulin and soluble signals including insulin-like growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. These results reveal SCPs as a cellular origin of melanocytes, and have broad implications on the molecular mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation during development, in health and pigmentation disorders."		* '''Schwann cell precursors from nerve innervation are a cellular origin of melanocytes in skin'''<ref name=PMID19837037><pubmed>19837037</pubmed></ref>"Current opinion holds that pigment cells, melanocytes, are derived from neural crest cells produced at the dorsal neural tube and that migrate under the epidermis to populate all parts of the skin. Here, we identify growing nerves projecting throughout the body as a stem/progenitor niche containing Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) from which large numbers of skin melanocytes originate. SCPs arise as a result of lack of neuronal specification by Hmx1 homeobox gene function in the neural crest ventral migratory pathway. Schwann cell and melanocyte development share signaling molecules with both the glial and melanocyte cell fates intimately linked to nerve contact and regulated in an opposing manner by Neuregulin and soluble signals including insulin-like growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. These results reveal SCPs as a cellular origin of melanocytes, and have broad implications on the molecular mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation during development, in health and pigmentation disorders."

Z8600021 at 01:26, 14 February 2018

2018-02-14T01:26:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:26, 14 February 2018
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	{{#pmid:20211169}}		{{#pmid:20211169}}

			{{#pmid18935965}}

	~~<pubmed>18935965</pubmed>~~		===Articles===
			{{#pmid:20848220}}

	~~===Articles===~~		{{#pmid:18703590}}

	~~<pubmed>20848220</pubmed>~~		{{#pmid:16899407}}
	~~<pubmed>18703590</pubmed>~~
	~~<pubmed>~~16899407~~</pubmed>~~

	===Search PubMed===		===Search PubMed===

Z8600021 at 01:14, 14 February 2018

2018-02-14T01:14:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:14, 14 February 2018
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	==Inner Ear Melanocytes==		==Inner Ear Melanocytes==
	[[File:Mouse organ of corti 04.jpg\|thumb\|Mouse stria vascularis]]		[[File:Mouse organ of corti 04.jpg\|thumb\|Mouse stria vascularis]]
	~~Melanocytes which settle in the modiolus appeared to reach their target along another pathway than strial and vestibular melanocytes.~~		Melanocytes have been identified within the inner ear within the modiolus, vestibular and stria vascularis (intermediate cells).{{#pmid:2612372\|PMID2612372}} ((see review {{#pmid:3070525\|PMID3070525}})

	Melanocytes have been identified within the inner ear within the modiolus, vestibular and stria vascularis.{{#pmid:2612372\|PMID2612372}} ((see review {{#pmid:3070525\|PMID3070525}})

	The stria vascularis, in addition to blood vessels, consists of 3 main cell types:		The stria vascularis, in addition to blood vessels, consists of 3 main cell types:
	# '''Marginal cells''' - epithelial origin - line the lumen of the cochlear duct		# '''Marginal cells''' - epithelial origin - line the lumen of the cochlear duct
	# '''Basal cells''' - mesoderm origin - form a continuous layer		# '''Basal cells''' - mesoderm origin - form a continuous layer
	# '''Intermediate cells''' - scattered between the marginal (interdigitated with the marginal cells) and basal cell layers - melanocyte-like cells derived from neural crest		# '''Intermediate cells''' - neural crest origin - scattered between the marginal (interdigitated with the marginal cells) and basal cell layers - melanocyte-like cells derived from neural crest


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	See also the recent paper on development of the stria vascularis and potassium regulation in the human fetal cochlea.{{#pmid:25663387\|PMID25663387}}		See also the recent paper on development of the stria vascularis and potassium regulation in the human fetal cochlea.{{#pmid:25663387\|PMID25663387}}


			Note that in dogs, abnormal development of neural crest intermediate cells in the stria vascularis has also been shown to be associated with [[Dog_Development#Canine_Congenital_Sensorineural_Deafness\|Canine Congenital Sensorineural Deafness (CCSD)]].

Z8600021 at 03:43, 13 February 2018

2018-02-13T03:43:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:43, 13 February 2018
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	==Inner Ear Melanocytes==		==Inner Ear Melanocytes==
	[[File:Mouse organ of corti 04.jpg\|thumb\|Mouse stria vascularis]]		[[File:Mouse organ of corti 04.jpg\|thumb\|Mouse stria vascularis]]
	Melanocytes have been identified within the inner ear ~~(see review~~ {{#pmid:~~3070525~~\|~~PMID3070525~~}}~~) and specifically located within the stria vascularis.~~{{#pmid:~~2612372~~\|~~PMID2612372~~}}		Melanocytes which settle in the modiolus appeared to reach their target along another pathway than strial and vestibular melanocytes.

			Melanocytes have been identified within the inner ear within the modiolus, vestibular and stria vascularis.{{#pmid:2612372\|PMID2612372}} ((see review {{#pmid:3070525\|PMID3070525}})

	The stria vascularis, in addition to blood vessels, consists of 3 main cell types:		The stria vascularis, in addition to blood vessels, consists of 3 main cell types:
	# '''Marginal cells''' - epithelial origin - line the lumen of the cochlear duct		# '''Marginal cells''' - epithelial origin - line the lumen of the cochlear duct
	# '''Basal cells''' - mesoderm origin - form a continuous layer		# '''Basal cells''' - mesoderm origin - form a continuous layer
	# '''Intermediate cells''' - scattered between the marginal and basal cell layers - melanocyte-like cells derived from neural crest		# '''Intermediate cells''' - scattered between the marginal (interdigitated with the marginal cells) and basal cell layers - melanocyte-like cells derived from neural crest

Z8600021 at 03:34, 13 February 2018

2018-02-13T03:34:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:34, 13 February 2018
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	* intracellular buffering system for calcium.		* intracellular buffering system for calcium.
	* binding ototoxic drugs		* binding ototoxic drugs


			See also the recent paper on development of the stria vascularis and potassium regulation in the human fetal cochlea.{{#pmid:25663387\|PMID25663387}}


	:'''Links:''' [[Hearing_-_Inner_Ear_Development#Stria_Vascularis\|Stria Vascularis]] \| [[Hearing_-_Inner_Ear_Development\|Inner Ear Development]]		:'''Links:''' [[Hearing_-_Inner_Ear_Development#Stria_Vascularis\|Stria Vascularis]] \| [[Hearing_-_Inner_Ear_Development\|Inner Ear Development]]

Z8600021 at 03:27, 13 February 2018

2018-02-13T03:27:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 13 February 2018
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	==Inner Ear Melanocytes==		==Inner Ear Melanocytes==
			[[File:Mouse organ of corti 04.jpg\|thumb\|Mouse stria vascularis]]
			Melanocytes have been identified within the inner ear (see review {{#pmid:3070525\|PMID3070525}}) and specifically located within the stria vascularis.{{#pmid:2612372\|PMID2612372}}

			The stria vascularis, in addition to blood vessels, consists of 3 main cell types:
			# '''Marginal cells''' - epithelial origin - line the lumen of the cochlear duct
			# '''Basal cells''' - mesoderm origin - form a continuous layer
			# '''Intermediate cells''' - scattered between the marginal and basal cell layers - melanocyte-like cells derived from neural crest

	Special attention was drawn to the composition of melanin and its presumed function as a biological reservoir for divalent ions and as an ion exchanger, as well as an intracellular buffering system for calcium. It is pointed out that melanin is capable of binding ototoxic drugs. Finally, morphological responses of melanocytes to local disturbance of Ca++ homeostasis in the inner ear are described as 1) intracellular movement and intraepithelial deposition of melanosomes; 2) cell motility; 3) neomelanogenesis; and 4) enhanced exocytotoxic/endocytotic activity.

			In addition to their role in stria vascularis development, these melanocytes have several suggested adult roles:{{#pmid:3070525\|PMID3070525}}
			* biological reservoir for divalent ions and as an ion exchanger
			* intracellular buffering system for calcium.
			* binding ototoxic drugs

	~~3070525~~		:'''Links:''' [[Hearing_-_Inner_Ear_Development#Stria_Vascularis\|Stria Vascularis]] \| [[Hearing_-_Inner_Ear_Development\|Inner Ear Development]]

	== References ==		== References ==
	<references/>		<references/>

	===Reviews===		===Reviews===
	~~<pubmed>21310010</pubmed>~~		{{#pmid:221310010}}
	~~<pubmed>~~20444197~~</pubmed>~~
	~~<pubmed>~~20211169~~</pubmed>~~		{{#pmid:20444197}}

			{{#pmid:20211169}}


	<pubmed>18935965</pubmed>		<pubmed>18935965</pubmed>

Z8600021 at 03:11, 13 February 2018

2018-02-13T03:11:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:11, 13 February 2018
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	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
	[[File:Mouse melanoblast distribution 01.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Mouse melanoblast distribution (E12.5 - E16.5)<ref name=PMID18454205><pubmed>18454205</pubmed>\| [http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1000003 PLoS Genet.]</ref>]]		[[File:Mouse melanoblast distribution 01.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Mouse melanoblast distribution (E12.5 - E16.5)<ref name=PMID18454205><pubmed>18454205</pubmed>\| [http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1000003 PLoS Genet.]</ref>]]
	Melanocytes ~~provide~~ the pigment melanin to keratinocytes ~~in the skin epithelium~~. These cells are neural crest in origin and recent research suggests that skin melaocytes are derived from the same population that Schwann cells are derived. Schwann cells wrap around nerve axon processes outside of the central nervous system. These cells in development originate from neural crest cells migrating out along the developing nerve fibers and these cells differentiate to form myelin sheaths that surround the mature nerve. The cells are named after their original discoverer a German physiologist Theodor Schwann (1810 - 1882).		Melanocytes are located on the surface of the body in the skin and also associated with internal structures, such as the inner ear and eye. Melanocytes in the skin synthesise the pigment melanin that is then transferred to keratinocytes.

			These cells are neural crest in origin and recent research suggests that skin melaocytes are derived from the same population that Schwann cells are derived. Schwann cells wrap around nerve axon processes outside of the central nervous system. These cells in development originate from neural crest cells migrating out along the developing nerve fibers and these cells differentiate to form myelin sheaths that surround the mature nerve. The cells are named after their original discoverer a German physiologist Theodor Schwann (1810 - 1882).

	In mammals, these pigmented cells can also be found in other tissues such as the: eyes, ears, heart, and central nervous system meninges. Melanocyte cells are a key topic in medical research as they are the cell transformed in melanoma.		In mammals, these pigmented cells can also be found in other tissues such as the: eyes, ears, heart, and central nervous system meninges. Melanocyte cells are a key topic in medical research as they are the cell transformed in melanoma.