Figure 1

Melanocyte Responses to UV exposure. [a] Epidermal strips: control: non dendritic melanocytes. [b] UV exposure: Dendritic melanocytes in G₂ phase. [c] SEM: Dendritic melanocytes in 3D. [d]: Organ Cultures: UV dose response: Melanocyte dendricity increases with dose, maximum on 120 s UV exposure. [e]: Sequential changes: Dendricity increases sequentially on exposure to a pulse of 120 s UV, maximum being at 3½ h, the effect lasting for 3 h. [f]: Ultrastructure of epidermis: 1. Intercellular spaces between keratinocytes reach down to the basement membrane. 2/3. Melanocytes on the BM with surrounding keratinocytes. 3–7. UV exposure: Melanocyte dendritic processes extend into the intercellular spaces supported by desmosomes.