Background: Autologous melanocyte transplantation plays an important role in the treatment of vitiligo.Objective: Previous studies have indicated that, compared with melanocytes growing in monolayers, melanocyte spheroids have a better survival in growth factor- and serum-deprived conditions.Methods: Melanocyte spheroids were obtained from human epidermis by repetitive long-term trypsinization and maintained an aggregated morphology for a short period in certain conditions.Results: Melanocyte spheroids were capable of growing into normal dendritic melanocytes in monolayer when they were harvested and reinoculated in 24-well plates. Immunohistochemical analysis of the melanocyte spheroids revealed that they were positive for HMB45, a melanosome-specific marker. No melanomas occurred when melanocyte spheroids were transplanted into mice.Conclusion: Our study provides a promising approach for melanocyte transplantation to treat vitiligo.
Animals Cell Transplantation