Melanocyte progenitor cells reside in human subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Based on the assumption that some progenitor cells in an organ might reside in neighboring adipose tissue, we investigated whether melanocyte progenitor cells reside in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. First, we examined the expression of human melanoma black 45 (HMB45) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in undifferentiated adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) by immunostaining, RT-PCR, and western blotting. These two markers were detected in undifferentiated ADSCs, and their expression levels were increased in differentiated ADSCs in melanocyte-specific culture medium. Other melanocytic markers (Melan A, MATP, Mel2, Mel EM, tyrosinase, KIT, and PAX3) were also detected at variable levels in undifferentiated ADSCs, and the expression of some markers was increased during differentiation into the melanocyte lineage. We further showed that ADSCs differentiated in melanocyte-specific culture medium localized in the basal layer and expressed tyrosinase and HMB45 in a 3D epidermal culture system. Melanin deposits were also induced by ultraviolet-light-B (UVB) irradiation. These results demonstrate that melanocyte progenitor cells reside in human subcutaneous adipose tissue and that these cells might have the potential to differentiate into mature melanocytes. Melanocyte and keratinocyte progenitors residing in human subcutaneous tissue can be used for the treat

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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