Animal Skin Pigmentation Model Using Full Thickness Skin Graft in C57BL/6 Mouse.

Lee, Hong Ki; Park, Jong Lim; Heo, Eun Ju; Kim, Sukwha

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2011;38(6):725-732.
Published online November 1, 2011.

Animal Skin Pigmentation Model Using Full Thickness Skin Graft in C57BL/6 Mouse.

Hong Ki Lee, Jong Lim Park, Eun Ju Heo, Sukwha Kim

¹Image Plastic Surgery Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
²Banobagi Plastic and Aesthetic Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
³Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kimsw@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
Skin grafting is one of the most commonly used methods in reconstructive plastic surgery field, but complications such as color change, contracture or hypertrophy are common problems. However, pathophysiology of the color change after skin graft is not yet determined and no animal model is established. METHODS: Full thickness skin grafts were performed on the dorsum of C57BL/6 mice. Serial chronological gross inspection for color change and pigmentation were examined. Melanin pigments were traced by Fontana-Masson staining and semi-quantitative analysis was performed. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of S-100, Micropthalmia related Transcription Factor(MITF) and Melan-A antibodies were also performed to observe melanocytes and their changes.
RESULTS
After skin graft, color change and pigment spots were observed in the graft. Fontana-Masson staining showed melanin pigments in the epidermal and dermal layers in all mice. Immunohistochemistry staining to S-100, MITF, Melan-A antibodies showed melanocytes at the basal layer of epidermis and dermis.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we have established an animal model for skin pigmentation after skin graft. We believe this study may be useful in understanding of the behavior of melanocytes after skin graft.

Keywords: C57BL/6 mouse; Skin graft; Pigmentation; Melanocyte; Premature melanocyte