Melanocytes are cells that are typically found in the skin and eyes, whereas nevus cells are a variant of melanocytes that are typically found in the dermo-epidermal junction at the interface between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. This is the main distinction between melanocytes and nevus cells.
The melanin pigment can be made by both melanocytes and nevus cells. Melanocytes are a subtype of nevus cells. Nevus cells, which are larger than typical melanocytes and are primarily found at the junction between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, are the exception.
What are Melanocytes?
Cells from the neural crest give rise to melanocytes. A transient collection of cells called neural crest cells develops from the embryonic ectoderm germ layer. They create the melanin pigment. Normal locations for melanocytes include the base of the skin's epidermis, the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, the inner ear, the vaginal epithelium, the bones, and the heart.
The pigment melanin is darker. Usually, it is in charge of skin tone. Melanin is synthesized and then stored in a unique organelle called a melanosome. In order to cause pigmentation, melanosomes can later be delivered to nearby keratinocytes. Furthermore, skin tones with darker hues have more melanosomes than those with lighter hues. When it comes to their purpose, melanin acts as a shield against UV rays. Melanocytes function as immune system cells in addition to their role as UV radical scavengers or UV protection mechanisms. They are therefore regarded as immune cells. Furthermore, several illnesses, including vitiligo, oculocutaneous albinism, and Chédiak-Higashi syndrome, are brought on by low levels of melanin in the body. These illnesses frequently have a hereditary component.
What are Nevus Cells?
A subtype of melanocytes are nevus cells. More substantial than typical melanocytes are nevus cells. These cells are typically located at the dermo-epidermal junction, which is where the skin's epidermal and dermal layers meet. Also containing nevus cells are the lymph nodes and the thymus. Although nevus cells lack dendrites, they do have a lot of cytoplasm and coarse granules.
The three types of dermal nevus cells are type A, type B, and type C. Additionally, through a process involving downward migration, type A dermal nerve cells mature into type B dermal nerve cells and type B dermal nerve cells into type C dermal nerve cells. A melanocytic nevus, a benign skin lesion brought on by a localized overgrowth of pigment cells, is also primarily composed of nevus cells.
What features do nevus cells and melanocytes share?
- The melanin pigment can be made by both melanocytes and nevus cells.
- Melanocytes are a subtype of nevus cells.
- In the skin, both cells can be found.
- They are linked to illnesses as well.
What Distinguishes Melanocytes from Nevus Cells?
While nevus cells are a subtype of melanocytes typically found in the dermo-epidermal junction at the interface between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, melanocytes are cells that produce and contain the pigment known as melanin and are typically found in the skin and eyes. Thus, this is the primary distinction between nevus cells and melanocytes. Additionally, melanocytes have dendrites whereas nevus cells do not.
For side-by-side comparison, the infographic below tabulates the variations between melanocytes and nevus cells.
Melanocytes vs. Nevus Cells in Context
Melanin can be produced by both melanocytes and nevus cells. Modified melanocytes are known as nevus cells. The skin's epidermis contains uniformly distributed single units of melanocytes. On the other hand, the lower epidermis and dermis of the skin contain nests of nevus cells. In addition, nevus cells are not only restricted to the skin but can also be found in lymph nodes and the thymus in addition to the eyes, inner ear, vaginal epithelium, meninges, bones, and the heart. The distinction between nevus cells and melanocytes is thus summarized by this.