====== Moles (skin feature) ======

Benign moles are extremely common on human skin, but their functions (if any) are unknown. There are theories however - the most prominent being that the extra melanin produced in the moles' melanocytes helps to protect against UV radiation. But melanin-rich sites in human skin are often prevalent in areas where sunlight rarely reaches. Further, many nocturnal mammals - bats for example - have skin rich in melanocytes though they are not in any danger from UV in sunlight.

Alternative theories suggest that moles may play a role in immunological defence.

>“ [...] melanocytes are not simply pigment-producing cells, but produce substances with a range of biological functions, including structural strengthening by cross-linking proteins, antimicrobial defense, photon shielding, and chemoprotection. [...] to provide several physiologically significant functions, including the provision of communicatory links with several different systems, e.g. the skin, central nervous system, and immune/ inflammatory responses.”\\ \\ See:  [[http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/eporter/BIOL520/Literature/Bukhart%20et%20al%202005.pdf|'The mole theory: primary function of melanocytes and melanin may be antimicrobial defense and immunomodulation (not solar protection)']] //International Journal of Dermatology//, 44, 340–342.

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Also see : [[content:life_sciences:human_body:melanin_protection]]