Reference Libraries

Close association exists between melanocytes, the pigment melanin-producing cells in the body, and their neighboring keratinocytes. Keratinocytes are the pigment recipients and skin pigmentation is the result of this interaction. While the chemical basis of melanin production (melanogenesis) is well... Read More

The protease-activated receptor 2, expressed on keratinocytes but not on melanocytes, has been ascribed functional importance in the regulation of pigmentation by phagocytosis of melanosomes. Inhibition of protease-activated receptor 2 activation by synthetic serine protease inhibitors requires keratinocyte-melanocyte contact and... Read More

Clinical skin lightening studies often run in excess of 3 months duration and are very costly. Therefore, there is considerable interest in developing methodology using cultured skin tissues to perform such studies in vitro. Towards this end, we have produced... Read More