In vitro approaches

Abstract

Core Messages: The complexity of cell culture models varies from monolayers for adherent cells or suspensions for nonadherent cells, to cocultures or to epidermal reconstructs (3D model). Cocultures and epidermal reconstructs allow the study of paracrine or contact cell-cell effects. The tests on nonepidermal nonadherent cells, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) expand the view, going beyond mel-anogenesis-associated metabolisms. The in vitro studies on hair follicle melanocytes help understand the maturation and differentiation of melanocytes and to unveil the defective steps of growth and migration in melanocyte precursors during the repigmentation. New analytic techniques are emerging which can be applied for investigating vitiligo. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.