Response of the Epidermal Melanocyte to Minor Trauma

Removal of the stratum corneum of human epidermis wih cellophane tape stimulated tyrosinase activity in basal melanocytes. An edematous condition surrounding the melanocytes, also a result of the stripping, inhibited the passage of melanosomes to keratinocytes. Consequently, melanosomes were packaged into autophagic vacuoles within the melanocytes. Melanocytes in the upper layers of the epidermis had autophagic vacuoles in their cytoplasm. Some melanocytes on or near the basal lamina possessed vacuoles which contained parts of Langerhans cells, demonstrating the phagocytic capability of the melanocyte.