Cell Specification
The melanocyte is a neural crest-derived cell that localizes in humans to several organs including the epidermis, eye, inner ear and leptomeninges. The failure of melanocytes to migrate to these locations explains the association of congenital white spotting of the skin (piebaldism) with heterochromia (the juxtaposition of different colors) in the iris as well as congenital deafness in Waardenburg syndrome. In the skin, melanocytes synthesize and transfer melanin pigments to surrounding keratinocytes, leading to skin pigmentation and protection against solar exposure. Recent progress in basic cell-culture technology, along with an improved understanding of culture requirements, has led to the success in culturing of this special cell type in pure population [1, 2] and the discovery of a novel melanocyte-specific gene, msg1, which encodes a nuclear protein and is associated with pigmentation [3].

HEM from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human epidermis. HEM are cryopreserved on passage one culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. HEM are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to fibronectin and NGF-receptor (p75). HEM are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HEM are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings in the condition provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Melanocyte Medium (MelM, Cat. No. 2201) for the culturing of HEM in vitro.

Product Use
HEM are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1]. Eisinger, M. and Marko, O. (1982) Selective proliferation of normal human melanocytes in vitro in the presence of phorbol ester and cholera toxin. Proc. Natl. Acad. USA 79:2018-2022.
[2]. Tang, A., Eller, M. S., Hara, M., Yaar, M., Hirohashi, S. and Gilchrest, B. A. (1994) E-cadherin is the major mediator of human melanocyte adhesion to keratinocytes in vitro. J. Cell Sci. 107:983-992.
[3]. Shioda, T., Fenner, M. H. and Isselbacher, K. J. (1996) msg1, a novel melanocyte-specific gene, encodes a nuclear protein and is associated with pigmentation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:12298-12303.