The patterns of birthmarks suggest a novel population of melanocyte precursors arising around the time of gastrulation.

ABSTRACT: Systematic work in the mouse and chicken has mapped out two neural crest-derived pathways of melanocyte precursor migration. With these in mind, this study reappraises the patterns of congenital pigmentary disorders in humans and identifies three recurrent patterns consistent across genetically different diseases. Only two of these are seen in diseases known to be melanocyte cell-autonomous. The segmental pattern correlates well with the classical dorsolateral population from animal studies, demonstrating respect of the midline, cranio-caudal axial mixing, unilateral migration and involvement of key epidermally derived structures. Importantly however, the melanocyte precursors responsible for the non-segmental pattern, which demonstrates circular, bilateral migration centred on the midline

SUBMITTER: Kinsler VA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5765478 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature