intracellular and extracellular depletion pigmentary incontinence 2011-10-26T03:06:29Z MPATH:744 Observed as melanin pigment within macrophages in the dermis. Inflammation in the epidermis stimulates melanocytes to increase the synthesis of melanin and subsequently to transfer the pigment to surrounding keratinocytes. If the basal layer is injured (e.g. lichen planus), melanin pigment is released and subsequently trapped by macrophages in the papillary dermis. Paul Release of melanin pigment in the dermis. mouse_pathology.ontology