Description
Epidermal melanocytes are melanin-producing cells that function as a protective mechanism from harmful UV rays. Melanoma has been associated to defects, dysfunction, or lack of melanocytes. Primary mouse melanocytes have been derived and successfully immortalized with SV40 large T antigen. Immortalized Mouse Intermediately Differentiated Melanoblasts (iMC37) are hygromycin-resistant cells which expresses melanogenic markers (c-kit, Pax3, Sox10, and MITF-m), and are non-tumorigenic. By culturing the cells in the presence of dexamethasone, differentiation occurs and yields mature melanocytes expressing HMB45 and moderate tyrosinase activity. These cells are a valuable tool in melanocyte biology and molecular pathogenesis of pigment-related cell disorder studies