Immortalized Mouse Progenitor-Like Melanocytes (iMC23)

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 C57BL/6 mouse melanocytes have been derived and successfully immortalized with SV40 large T antigen. The Immortalized Mouse Progenitor-Like Melanocytes (iMC23) 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 has low tyrosinase activity. These cells are a valuable tool in melanocyte biology and molecular pathogenesis of pigment-related cell disorder studies. Fontana-Masson staining performed for melanocytic cell markers.