Shimizu N, Ito M, Ikeda K, Sato Y
Department of Dermatology, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Nihon Hifuka Gakkai Zasshi. 1990 Oct;100(11):1115-9.
To elucidate the three-dimensional distribution and cell structure of human epidermal melanocytes in vivo, normal skin specimens were analyzed by a stereographic and stereometric method using computer. After brief fixation, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-melanosome reaction method was performed. Specimens were then post-fixed with glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide, dehydrated, and embedded in Epon. Serial sections were obtained in an ultramicrotome and stained with toluidine blue. Epidermal melanocytes were stained dark brown by this method. From the serial two-dimensional figures of the melanocytes, three-dimensional images of their cell structures were reconstructed using a computer-stereography ++ system (Cosmozone 2SA, Nikon, Tokyo). Stereographicaly, the epidermal melanocytes were distributed unevenly on a waving epidermal basement membrane; some of them often gathered. The melanocytes showed spherical cell bodies extending several thin processes, whereas epidermal basal keratinocytes showed ellipsoidal cell bodies. By stereometry, the melanocytes had a significantly larger cytoplasm and a smaller nucleus in volumes compared with the basal keratinocytes. Our stereological method may prove to be important in determining three-dimensional features of normal or abnormal melanocytes.
为了阐明人体表皮黑素细胞在体内的三维分布和细胞结构，使用计算机通过立体摄影和立体测量方法对正常皮肤标本进行了分析。经过短暂固定后，进行了二羟基苯丙氨酸（DOPA）-黑素小体反应法。然后将标本用戊二醛和四氧化锇后固定，脱水，并包埋在环氧树脂中。在超薄切片机上获得连续切片，并用甲苯胺蓝染色。通过这种方法，表皮黑素细胞被染成深褐色。从黑素细胞的连续二维图像中，使用计算机立体摄影++系统（Cosmozone 2SA，尼康，东京）重建了它们细胞结构的三维图像。从立体摄影角度看，表皮黑素细胞在起伏的表皮基底膜上分布不均；其中一些常常聚集在一起。黑素细胞呈现出球形细胞体，并伸出几条细的突起，而表皮基底角质形成细胞呈现出椭圆形细胞体。通过立体测量，与基底角质形成细胞相比，黑素细胞的细胞质体积明显更大，细胞核体积更小。我们的体视学方法可能在确定正常或异常黑素细胞的三维特征方面具有重要意义。
