Albinism pathophysiology
|
Albinism Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Albinism pathophysiology On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Albinism pathophysiology |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Albinism pathophysiology |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shadan Mehraban, M.D.[2]
Overview
Pathophysiology
Physiology
- Melanocytes are derived from neural crest ectoderm and are found in hair follicles, skin, eyes, and inner ear
- Melanocytes account for 5% to 10% of cells in epidermal basal layers
- Melanocytes contain melanosomes which produce melanin
- Melanin protects skin from ultraviolet; with sun exposure melanin pigment increases in the skin
- Apart from photo-protective effect of melanin, it has some roles in development of ocular structures as well as oculoneural pathways
- Melanin converts tyrosine to 2 forms named eumelanin and pheomelanin
- Eumelanin is responsible for black or brown skin color and protects skin from ultraviolet B
- Pheomelanin is responsible for red or blond hair and light-colored, and ruddy skin
- On melanocytes, activation of melanocortin one receptors (MC1R) lead to synthesis of eumelanin over pheomelanin