USE OF HUMAN SKIN RECONSTRUCTS IN THE STUDY OF PIGMENT MODIFIERS

Objective: To assay drugs that modify pigmentation (ie, agents that ei ther enhance or decrease pigmentation) in a predictive in vitro model, as such drugs have been previously studied in vivo on human and anima l skin. Design: An epidermis was reconstructed with human keratinocyte s and melanocytes. Epidermal reconstructs with melanocytes were made a ccording to a variant of the model of Prunieras and colleagues. Reagen ts that alter melanogenesis such as isobutyl methylxanthine, 1-oleoyl- 2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, kojic acid, and mequinol were introduced in the culture medium or used topically after 8 days of culture at the air-li quid interface. Main Outcome Measurer: Macroscopic, colorimetric, hist ological (Fontana-Masson stain and dopa reaction), and biochemical stu dies were performed. Results: The effect of pigment modifiers was demo nstrated ex vivo as expected from in vivo data on skin color, numbers of melanocytes, melanosome transfer, and melanin content. Conclusion: These results will permit other investigators to use this model to ass ess the efficacy of novel molecules that alter pigmentation.