Dedicated Epithelial Recipient Cells Determine Pigmentation Patterns

Mammals generate external coloration via dedicated pigment-producing cells but arrange pigment into patterns through mechanisms largely unknown. Here, using mice as models, we show that patterns ultimately emanate from dedicated pigment-receiving cells. These pigment recipients are epithelial cells...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell 2007-09, Vol.130 (5), p.932-942
Main Authors: Weiner, Lorin, Han, Rong, Scicchitano, Bianca M., Li, Jian, Hasegawa, Kiyotaka, Grossi, Maddalena, Lee, David, Brissette, Janice L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibodies
Cell Differentiation
Cell Movement
Cell Proliferation
Cells, Cultured
DEVBIO
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - genetics
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - immunology
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - metabolism
Forkhead Transcription Factors - deficiency
Forkhead Transcription Factors - genetics
Forkhead Transcription Factors - metabolism
Hair Color - physiology
Hair Follicle - metabolism
Humans
Keratin-15
Keratin-5 - genetics
Keratinocytes - metabolism
Melanins - metabolism
Melanocytes - metabolism
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Inbred DBA
Mice, Knockout
Mice, Nude
Mice, Transgenic
Phenotype
Promoter Regions, Genetic
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Signal Transduction
SIGNALING
Skin - cytology
Skin - growth & development
Skin - metabolism
Skin Pigmentation - physiology
Time Factors
Transcription, Genetic
Transduction, Genetic
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Summary:Mammals generate external coloration via dedicated pigment-producing cells but arrange pigment into patterns through mechanisms largely unknown. Here, using mice as models, we show that patterns ultimately emanate from dedicated pigment-receiving cells. These pigment recipients are epithelial cells that recruit melanocytes to their position in the skin and induce the transfer of melanin. We identify Foxn1 (a transcription factor) as an activator of this “pigment recipient phenotype” and Fgf2 (a growth factor and Foxn1 target) as a signal released by recipients. When Foxn1—and thus dedicated recipients—are redistributed in the skin, new patterns of pigmentation develop, suggesting a mechanism for the evolution of coloration. We conclude that recipients provide a cutaneous template or blueprint that instructs melanocytes where to place pigment. As Foxn1 and Fgf2 also modulate epithelial growth and differentiation, the Foxn1 pathway should serve as a nexus coordinating cell division, differentiation, and pigmentation.
ISSN:0092-8674
1097-4172
DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2007.07.024