Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hugo Moreiras, Miguel C. Seabra, Duarte C. Barral
Summary: Several models have been proposed to explain the transfer of melanin in the skin epidermis, with recent observations supporting exo/phagocytosis and shed vesicles models. Limited knowledge about melanin processing within keratinocytes suggests that different mechanisms may co-exist to sustain skin pigmentation. Addressing new questions in understanding basal skin pigmentation could lead to new strategies for treating pigmentary disorders and have cosmetic applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Kristina Navrazhina, Sandra Garcet, Samuel C. Williams, Nicholas Gulati, Felix Kiecker, John W. Frew, Hiroshi Mitsui, James G. Krueger
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of using laser capture microdissection (LCM) to accurately identify molecular changes in melanoma samples, without being affected by inflammatory infiltration. LCM analysis identified a greater number of differentially expressed genes, including melanocyte-specific genes, and revealed pathways related to cell proliferation.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Alec Sevilla, Jeremy Cheret, Wendy Lee, Ralf Paus
Summary: This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on melanin production and melanocytes in intact human epidermis. The results showed that melanin content and melanocyte dendricity increased with melatonin treatment, while tyrosinase activity was inhibited. Higher doses of melatonin increased the number and proliferation of melanocytes and keratinocytes, as well as the expression of the premelanosomal marker gp100. These findings suggest that long-term melatonin therapy may stimulate melanogenesis and increase the activity of epidermal melanocytes.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yekatsiaryna Hushcha, Irene Blo, Lucia Oton-Gonzalez, Giulia Di Mauro, Fernanda Martini, Mauro Tognon, Monica De Mattei
Summary: Melanogenesis is a complex biological process regulated by internal and external factors, as well as epigenetic factors such as miRNAs, which ultimately affect melanin synthesis by regulating key factors such as MITF. Understanding the role of miRNAs in melanogenesis can provide insights into the regulation mechanism of this biological process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hui Song Cui, So Young Joo, Seung Yeol Lee, Yoon Soo Cho, Dong Hyun Kim, Cheong Hoon Seo
Summary: It is unclear how scar fibroblasts (SFs) affect keratinocytes in hypertrophic scars (HTS) through cell-cell interaction. This study investigated the effects of HTS-derived exosomes on the proliferation and differentiation of normal human keratinocytes (NHKs) and compared them with normal fibroblasts (NFs).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Yoko Endo, Hiroyuki Yoshida, Yukiko Ota, Yumiko Akazawa, Tetsuya Sayo, Ushio Hanai, Kotaro Imagawa, Masashi Sasaki, Yoshito Takahashi
Summary: The study investigated the effects of a newly developed inducer, beta-NAG2, on epidermal proliferation and differentiation by increasing HA production. The results showed that beta-NAG2 significantly increased HA production in the skin, leading to accelerated keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, which plays a key role in epidermal morphogenesis and homeostasis.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Huiting Liu, Biying Qiu, Huan Yang, Wen Zheng, Yingying Luo, Yadan Zhong, Ping Lu, Junyi Chen, Ying Luo, Jun Liu, Bin Yang
Summary: In this study, it was found that AHNAK peptide fragments were enriched in the lesions of PLCA patients, and OSMR mutations led to the elevated expression of AHNAK, which resulted in hyperproliferation and overdifferentiation of keratinocytes. This discovery might provide potential therapeutic targets for PLCA.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eisaku Ogawa, Tomohiro Edamitsu, Hidetaka Ohmori, Kazuyoshi Kohu, Mineo Kurokawa, Hiroshi Kiyonari, Masanobu Satake, Ryuhei Okuyama
Summary: This study reveals the important roles of Runx1 and Runx3 in keratinocyte differentiation, where they directly inhibit the expression of keratin 1 and keratin 10 genes during the differentiation process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asako Yamamoto, Lingli Yang, Yasutaka Kuroda, Jiao Guo, Lanting Teng, Daisuke Tsuruta, Ichiro Katayama
Summary: The skin, as the outermost barrier of the body, is a major target of oxidative stress. Local synthesis of estrogen in the skin to protect from oxidative stress has been explored, with abnormal local estrogen synthesis potentially involved in skin disorders. The findings suggest potential new intervention targets for combination therapy for conditions such as vitiligo.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Bo Xie, Yi Chen, Yebei Hu, Yan Zhao, Haixin Luo, Jinhui Xu, Xiuzu Song
Summary: This study aimed to uncover the molecular targets and mechanisms of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of vitiligo. By using network pharmacology and transcriptomics, the study identified four potential key targets (ACHE, PNMT, MC1R, and VDR) of HCQ and revealed the upregulation of genes related to melanosome biogenesis, protein repair, and anti-UV effect after HCQ treatment. These findings suggest that HCQ exerts its protective effects on melanocytes through regulating specific targets.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yasutaka Kuroda, Lingli Yang, Sylvia Lai, Jiao Guo, Tetsuya Sayo, Yoshito Takahashi, Daisuke Tsuruta, Ichiro Katayama
Summary: The study found that low doses of MEL irradiation can promote the activation and protection of melanocytes, while medium to high doses can induce inflammatory responses. It was also discovered that lower doses of MEL irradiation may be more effective for patients with vitiligo.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Dimin Zhang, Xiaodong Wei, Weisong Hong, Lifang Fu, Guopei Qian, Ai-e Xu
Summary: MKTP is effective and well tolerated in treating stable vitiligo, with treatment outcomes being influenced by factors such as duration of disease stability, vitiligo type, family history, and site of lesion. Careful assessment of these factors before using MKTP can further improve post-operative repigmentation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joong Suk Jeon, He Mi Kang, Ju Ha Park, Jum Soon Kang, Yong Jae Lee, Young Hoon Park, Byoung Il Je, Sun Young Park, Young Whan Choi
Summary: The extracts from KC showed significant photoprotective effects by improving keratinocyte viability, reducing apoptosis, and melanin production, offering potential for developing skin-whitening and photoprotective agents.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Alec Sevilla, Jeremy Cheret, Radomir M. Slominski, Andrzej T. Slominski, Ralf Paus
Summary: Melatonin, an evolutionarily ancient compound, plays a crucial role in regulating melanogenesis, oxidative biology, mitochondrial function, and pigmentation-related clock gene activity in human skin. It inhibits melanogenesis and melanocyte proliferation by stimulating melatonin membrane receptors, while also providing cyto- and senescence-protective and antioxidative effects in melanocytes. Research suggests the importance of studying melatonin's effects on melanocytes in a physiological tissue context and further exploring its impact on human epidermis and hair follicles.
JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Zoya T. Anderson, Julian Mehl, Katelynn M. Corder, Lynn E. Dobrunz, Melissa L. Harris
Summary: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease with no cure, and current treatments are often ineffective. Research suggests that genetic mutations in neuropeptide Y (NPY) may play a role in vitiligo, but there are currently no models to investigate this. Overexpression of NPY in mice led to hair greying and melanocyte dysfunction, indicating a potential novel model for studying NPY-mediated melanocyte pathology.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2021)