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Generation of Human Melanocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Skin Stem Cells

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 989))

Abstract

The discovery of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has provided a model system for studying early events during human development. Developmentally melanocytes originate from migratory neural crest cells that emerge from the neural plate during embryogenesis after a complex process of differentiation, proliferation, and migration out of the neural tube along defined pathways. In the adult, human melanocytes are located in the basal layer of the epidermis, hair follicles, uvea, inner ear, and meninges. In the epidermis, melanocytes produce melanin pigment that gives color to the skin as well as providing protection from ultraviolet light damage. In addition, melanocytes transfer melanin pigment to hair matrix keratinocytes during each hair cycle to maintain hair pigmentation. Characterization of mouse melanocyte stem cells (MELSCs) is more complete than for humans. MELSCs are located in the bulge region of hair follicles, where hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) also reside. Recently, it has been demonstrated that HFSCs provide a functional nice for MELSCs. According to current cancer stem cell theory, melanomas are considered to evolve from MELSCs, although the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated fully. In humans, importantly, the lack of more specific markers of MELSCs, current understanding of the molecular regulations of melanocyte development remains incomplete. Recently, the generation of melanocytes from iPSCs has lead to some clarification of human melanocyte development in vitro. Utilization of iPSC-derived melanocytes may prove invaluable in further study of human melanocytic development and novel therapies for patients suffering with pigmentation disorders and melanoma.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the following collaborators; Dr. Yohei Okada, Dr. Yumi Matsuzaki, Ms. Reiko Kuwahara, Dr. Manabu Ohyama, Dr. Masayuki Amagai (Keio University), and Dr. Shinya Yamanaka (Kyoto University). For technical assistance we thank Dr. Toshihiro. Nagai (Keio University) for electron microscopy studies, Ms. Mari. Fujiwara (Keio University) for Microarray data analysis and the Core Instrumentation Facility (Keio University). For critical reading of the manuscript we thank Dr. Ophelia Veraitch (Keio University) and Dr. Knut Woltjen (Kyoto University). The study was supported by a grant from MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), the project for realization of regenerative medicine and support for the core institutes for iPSC research from MEXT, and a Grant-in-aid for the Global COE program to Keio University from MEXT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Shigeki Ohta & Yutaka Kawakami

  2. Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Yoichi Imaizumi, Wado Akamatsu & Hideyuki Okano

Authors
  1. Shigeki Ohta
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  2. Yoichi Imaizumi
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  3. Wado Akamatsu
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  4. Hideyuki Okano
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  5. Yutaka Kawakami
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Smyth Road 501, Ottawa, K1Y 8L6, Canada

    Kursad Turksen

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Ohta, S., Imaizumi, Y., Akamatsu, W., Okano, H., Kawakami, Y. (2013). Generation of Human Melanocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. In: Turksen, K. (eds) Skin Stem Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 989. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-330-5_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-330-5_16

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-329-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-330-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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