Melanocytes in the Skin – Comparative Whole Transcriptome Analysis of Main Skin Cell Types

Melanocytes possess several functions besides a role in pigment synthesis, but detailed characteristics of the cells are still unclear. We used whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) to assess differential gene expression of cultivated normal human melanocytes with respect to keratinocytes, fibroblasts and whole skin. The present results reveal cultivated melanocytes as highly proliferative cells with possible stem cell-like properties. The enhanced readiness to regenerate makes melanocytes the most vulnerable cells in the skin and explains their high risk of developing into malignant melanoma.黑素细胞（Melanocytes）除参与色素合成外，还具备多项其他生理功能，但目前学界对这类细胞的详细特征仍未完全阐明。本研究采用全转录组测序（RNA-Seq）技术，对比分析了体外培养的正常人黑素细胞与角质形成细胞（keratinocytes）、成纤维细胞（fibroblasts）及全皮肤组织的差异基因表达情况。研究结果显示，体外培养的黑素细胞属于高增殖活性细胞，且可能具备干细胞样特性。其较强的再生潜能使得黑素细胞成为皮肤中最易受到损伤的细胞类型，这也解释了黑素细胞恶变为恶性黑素瘤的高风险成因。