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Kwon H, Lee JH, Yoo JM, Nguyen H, An H, Chang SE, Song Y. Semaxanib, a VEGF inhibitor, suppresses melanogenesis by modulating CRTC3 independently of VEGF signaling. J Dermatol Sci 2024:S0923-1811(24)00150-6. [PMID: 39127591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2024.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of melanogenesis contributes to the development of skin hyperpigmentation diseases, which poses a treatment challenge. Following the establishment of CRTC3 screening methods to explore small molecules inhibiting melanogenesis for the topical treatment of hyperpigmentation diseases, we identified a candidate molecule, semaxanib. OBJECTIVE To explore the antimelanogenic effects of semaxanib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 inhibitor, for potential applications in hyperpigmentation management and to unravel the role of VEGF signaling in melanocyte biology by investigating mechanism of action of semaxanib. METHODS Mouse-derived spontaneously immortalized melanocytes, B16F10, and normal human primary epidermal melanocytes cells were treated with semaxanib, and cellular responses were assessed using cell viability assays and melanin content measurements. Molecular mechanisms were investigated using transcriptional activity assays, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunoblotting analysis. In vivo studies were conducted using an epidermis-humanized transgenic mouse model and ex vivo human skin tissues. RESULTS Semaxanib ameliorated melanin content in cultured melanocytes by downregulating the expression of melanogenesis-associated genes by suppressing the CRTC3/microphthalmia-associated transcription factors. Topical application of semaxanib reduced melanin accumulation in the ultraviolet B-stimulated ex vivo human epidermis and tail of K14-stem cell factor transgenic mice. Mechanistically, the antimelanogenic effect induced by semaxanib was associated with SIK2-CRTC3-MITF rather than VEGF signaling in melanocytes. CONCLUSION Semaxanib emerges as a promising candidate for the development of therapeutics for hyperpigmentation, potentially working independently of VEGF signaling in human melanocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- HyeJi Kwon
- Department of Brain Sciences, Brain Korea 21 project, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Hyeon Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Brain Korea 21 project, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Min Yoo
- Department of Dermatology, Brain Korea 21 project, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Huonggiang Nguyen
- Department of Brain Sciences, Brain Korea 21 project, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hongchan An
- College of Pharmacy and Insitute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
| | - Sung Eun Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Brain Korea 21 project, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Youngsup Song
- Department of Brain Sciences, Brain Korea 21 project, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
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Sobczuk P, Cholewiński M, Rutkowski P. Recent advances in tyrosine kinase inhibitors VEGFR 1-3 for the treatment of advanced metastatic melanoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024; 25:501-510. [PMID: 38607407 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2342403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increasing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling in melanoma progression, response to therapy, and overall survival. Moreover, the discovery of the potential involvement of the VEGF pathway in resistance to immunotherapy has led to new clinical trials with VEGFR inhibitors. AREAS COVERED We have reviewed recent literature, mainly published within the last 5 years, on VEGFR-targeted treatments for advanced melanoma, including mucosal, acral, and uveal melanoma. The VEGFR inhibitors were used as a single therapy or combined with either immunotherapy or chemotherapy, and they were employed in treatment for KIT-mutated cutaneous melanoma and for patients with brain metastases. EXPERT OPINION Trials involving monotherapy have been unsuccessful in demonstrating meaningful efficacy. Despite some activity, the combination of VEGFR-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with ICI-resistant melanoma, the combination did not significantly improve outcomes compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy in the first-line settings. On the contrary, some patients with mucosal, acral or KIT-mutant melanoma may benefit from TKI-based therapies. Further studies focused on biomarker discovery and randomized trials are necessary to better understand the role of VEGFR1-3 as a therapeutic target in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Sobczuk
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research institute of Oncology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Cholewiński
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research institute of Oncology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research institute of Oncology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Zhang L, Zeng H, Jiang L, Fu C, Zhang Y, Hu Y, Zhang X, Zhu L, Zhang F, Huang J, Chen J, Zeng Q. Heat promotes melanogenesis by increasing the paracrine effects in keratinocytes via the TRPV3/Ca 2+/Hh signaling pathway. iScience 2023; 26:106749. [PMID: 37216091 PMCID: PMC10192915 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Global warming and rising temperature significantly increase the incidence of heat stress, which is known to affect the process of inflammation and aging. However, the effect of heat stress on skin melanogenesis is not fully known. We found that healthy foreskin tissues underwent significant pigmentation when exposed to 41°C. Furthermore, heat stress promoted melanogenesis in pigment cells by increasing the paracrine effects of keratinocytes. High-throughput RNA sequencing showed that heat stress activates the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in keratinocytes. The agonists of Hh signaling promote the paracrine effect of keratinocytes on melanogenesis. In addition, transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 3 agonists activate the Hh signaling in keratinocytes and augment its paracrine effect on melanogenesis. The heat-induced activation of Hh signaling is dependent on TRPV3-mediated Ca2+ influx. Heat exposure promotes melanogenesis by increasing the paracrine effects in keratinocytes via the TRPV3/Ca2+/Hh signaling pathway. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms of heat-induced skin pigmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Hongliang Zeng
- Center of Medical Laboratory Animal, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Ling Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Chuhan Fu
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Yushan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Yibo Hu
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Lu Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Jinhua Huang
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Qinghai Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
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Liu W, Chen Q, Xia Y. New Mechanistic Insights of Melasma. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2023; 16:429-442. [PMID: 36817641 PMCID: PMC9936885 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s396272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Melasma is a common acquired disorder of pigmentation that negatively impacts quality of life. Present treatments show poor therapeutic effect with frequent recurrence. This in large part is due to the currently limited understanding of the disease's etiology. It is urgent to elucidate the pathogenesis of melasma to further the discovery of new therapeutic strategies. Recent studies show that melasma is triggered or aggravated by a variety of factors, including genetic susceptibility, ultraviolet radiation, and sex hormone dysregulation. Ultraviolet B radiation upregulates the expression of several melanocyte-specific genes and stimulates the release of key factors that participate in the synthesis of melanin. There is a significant increase in melanin in both the epidermal and dermal layers of affected skin, possibly due to abnormalities in crosstalk between the melanocytes and other cells. Melanogenesis is regulated through various signaling networks including the Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, cAMP/PKA, and SCF/c-kit-mediated signaling pathways. In addition, inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, neuroactive molecules, sebocytes, etc, have also been proved to be related to the pathogenesis of melasma. This review provides a comprehensive update on the current understanding of the pathogenesis of melasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yumin Xia
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Yumin Xia, Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 29 87679969, Fax +86 29 87678425, Email
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Kim JY, Lee EJ, Bae YJ, Park S, Kim SH, Lee J, Kwon IJ, Seong SH, Lee J, Kim TG, Oh SH. The involvement of gremlin-1 in external stress-induced melanogenesis. J Dermatol Sci 2022; 109:47-50. [PMID: 36642580 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Young Kim
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Jung Lee
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yu Jeong Bae
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sujin Park
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Hee Kim
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joohee Lee
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Il Joo Kwon
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seol Hwa Seong
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinu Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Tae-Gyun Kim
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Sang Ho Oh
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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The retinal pigmentation pathway in human albinism: Not so black and white. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 91:101091. [PMID: 35729001 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Albinism is a pigment disorder affecting eye, skin and/or hair. Patients usually have decreased melanin in affected tissues and suffer from severe visual abnormalities, including foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting. Combining our data with those of the literature, we propose a single functional genetic retinal signalling pathway that includes all 22 currently known human albinism disease genes. We hypothesise that defects affecting the genesis or function of different intra-cellular organelles, including melanosomes, cause syndromic forms of albinism (Hermansky-Pudlak (HPS) and Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS)). We put forward that specific melanosome impairments cause different forms of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1-8). Further, we incorporate GPR143 that has been implicated in ocular albinism (OA1), characterised by a phenotype limited to the eye. Finally, we include the SLC38A8-associated disorder FHONDA that causes an even more restricted "albinism-related" ocular phenotype with foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting but without pigmentation defects. We propose the following retinal pigmentation pathway, with increasingly specific genetic and cellular defects causing an increasingly specific ocular phenotype: (HPS1-11/CHS: syndromic forms of albinism)-(OCA1-8: OCA)-(GPR143: OA1)-(SLC38A8: FHONDA). Beyond disease genes involvement, we also evaluate a range of (candidate) regulatory and signalling mechanisms affecting the activity of the pathway in retinal development, retinal pigmentation and albinism. We further suggest that the proposed pigmentation pathway is also involved in other retinal disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration. The hypotheses put forward in this report provide a framework for further systematic studies in albinism and melanin pigmentation disorders.
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Keren A, Bertolini M, Keren Y, Ullmann Y, Paus R, Gilhar A. Human organ rejuvenation by VEGF-A: Lessons from the skin. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm6756. [PMID: 35749494 PMCID: PMC9232104 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm6756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Transplanting aged human skin onto young SCID/beige mice morphologically rejuvenates the xenotransplants. This is accompanied by angiogenesis, epidermal repigmentation, and substantial improvements in key aging-associated biomarkers, including ß-galactosidase, p16ink4a, SIRT1, PGC1α, collagen 17A, and MMP1. Angiogenesis- and hypoxia-related pathways, namely, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and HIF1A, are most up-regulated in rejuvenated human skin. This rejuvenation cascade, which can be prevented by VEGF-A-neutralizing antibodies, appears to be initiated by murine VEGF-A, which then up-regulates VEGF-A expression/secretion within aged human skin. While intradermally injected VEGF-loaded nanoparticles suffice to induce a molecular rejuvenation signature in aged human skin on old mice, VEGF-A treatment improves key aging parameters also in isolated, organ-cultured aged human skin, i.e., in the absence of functional skin vasculature, neural, or murine host inputs. This identifies VEGF-A as the first pharmacologically pliable master pathway for human organ rejuvenation in vivo and demonstrates the potential of our humanized mouse model for clinically relevant aging research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Keren
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Marta Bertolini
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
| | - Yaniv Keren
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yehuda Ullmann
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ralf Paus
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- CUTANEON–Skin & Hair Innovations, Hamburg, Germany
- Corresponding author. (A.G.); (R.P.)
| | - Amos Gilhar
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- Corresponding author. (A.G.); (R.P.)
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Bhalla M, Arora A. Newer indications of tranexamic acid in dermatology beyond melasma: a review. PIGMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/pigmentinternational.pigmentinternational_81_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Xing X, Xu Z, Chen L, Jin S, Zhang C, Xiang L. Tranexamic acid inhibits melanogenesis partially via stimulation of TGF-β1 expression in human epidermal keratinocytes. Exp Dermatol 2021; 31:633-640. [PMID: 34862827 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oral tranexamic acid (TA) has been an effective treatment for melasma with unclear mechanism. The present study aimed to demonstrate the effect of TA on melanogenesis via regulation of TGF-β1 expression in keratinocytes. We firstly determined the expression level of TGF-β1 in TA-treated keratinocyte-conditioned medium (KCM). Then, the mRNA and protein levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) of human epidermal melanocytes (NHEMs) in the presence of TA-treated KCM were evaluated via RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Moreover, melanin content and tyrosinase activity were quantified. TGF-β1 gene was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in keratinocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 in keratinocytes were significantly increased after TA treatment. Melanin contents, tyrosinase activity, protein and mRNA levels of TYR, MITF and TRP-1 were downregulated in NHEMs in the presence of TA-treated KCM. Knockdown of TGF-β1 in keratinocytes could attenuate the inhibitory effect of TA-treated KCM on melanogenesis. TA could stimulate TGF-β1 expression in keratinocytes, which further inhibits melanogenesis through the paracrine signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Xing
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongyi Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanglin Jin
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengfeng Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leihong Xiang
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Ponomarev IV, Topchiy SB, Andrusenko YN, Shakina LD. Treatment of Nevus Spilus with dual-wavelength copper vapor laser. VESTNIK DERMATOLOGII I VENEROLOGII 2021. [DOI: 10.25208/vdv1210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Speckled lentiginous nevus or Nevus Spilus (NS) is a congenital or acquired melanocytic nevus. NS appears as dark hyperpigmented macules or papules interspersed in the lentigo-like hyperpigmentation patch. Surgical methods for removing NS, primarily on the skin with a thin dermis, are associated with the risk of disruption of its structure or scarring. The use of single wavelength laser irradiation allowed achieving pronounced bleaching of the NS area with such side effects as scars, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and relapses in some cases. Side effects could occur due to the lack of complete blood flow in the microvascular bed near the NS. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of NS treatment with a dual-wavelength copper vapor laser (CVL).
Description of patients and the method of the treatment. Two fair-skinned adult female patients with NS, of medium size and different location, asked to restore the natural colour of the skin in order to get rid of cosmetic defects. NS treatment was carried out using CVL (Yakhroma-Med model, P.N.Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences) during six procedures, an interval of 46weeks. For treatment, we used two-wavelength CVL radiation with average power in the range of 0.60.8W with a power ratio of 3:2 at wavelengths of 511 nm and 578 nm; exposure time: 0.20.3 s. The diameter of the light spot on the skin accounted for 1 mm. Both patients were satisfied with the result of the treatment due to the noticeable blanching of the pigmented skin area after the NS removal. During the following two years, no dark spots or scarring was observed at the NS removal site.
Conclusion. Treatment of medium-sized NS using two-wavelength CVL radiation made it possible toeliminate the cosmetic defect without side effects.
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Goenka S, Simon SR. Novel Chemically Modified Curcumin (CMC) Analogs Exhibit Anti-Melanogenic Activity in Primary Human Melanocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116043. [PMID: 34205035 PMCID: PMC8199869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperpigmentation is a dermatological condition characterized by the overaccumulation and/or oversecretion of melanin pigment. The efficacy of curcumin as an anti-melanogenic therapeutic has been recognized, but the poor stability and solubility that have limited its use have inspired the synthesis of novel curcumin analogs. We have previously reported on comparisons of the anti-melanogenic activity of four novel chemically modified curcumin (CMC) analogs, CMC2.14, CMC2.5, CMC2.23 and CMC2.24, with that of parent curcumin (PC), using a B16F10 mouse melanoma cell model, and we have investigated mechanisms of inhibition. In the current study, we have extended our findings using normal human melanocytes from a darkly pigmented donor (HEMn-DP) and we have begun to study aspects of melanosome export to human keratinocytes. Our results showed that all the CMCs downregulated the protein levels of melanogenic paracrine mediators, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and adrenomedullin (ADM) in HaCaT cells and suppressed the phagocytosis of FluoSphere beads that are considered to be melanosome mimics. All the three CMCs were similarly potent (except CMC2.14, which was highly cytotoxic) in inhibiting melanin production; furthermore, they suppressed dendricity in HEMn-DP cells. CMC2.24 and CMC2.23 robustly suppressed cellular tyrosinase activity but did not alter tyrosinase protein levels, while CMC2.5 did not suppress tyrosinase activity but significantly downregulated tyrosinase protein levels, indicative of a distinctive mode of action for the two structurally related CMCs. Moreover, HEMn-DP cells treated with CMC2.24 or CMC2.23 partially recovered their suppressed tyrosinase activity after cessation of the treatment. All the three CMCs were nontoxic to human dermal fibroblasts while PC was highly cytotoxic. Our results provide a proof-of-principle for the novel use of the CMCs for skin depigmentation, since at low concentrations, ranging from 5 to 25 µM, the CMCs (CMC2.24, CMC2.23 and CMC2.5) were more potent anti-melanogenic agents than PC and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), both of which were ineffective at melanogenesis at similar doses, as tested in HEMn-DP cells (with PC being highly toxic in dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes). Further studies to evaluate the efficacy of CMCs in human skin tissue and in vivo studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Goenka
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Sanford R. Simon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5215, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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Guo MS, Wu Q, Lai QWS, Wang X, Bai P, Fung KWC, Dong TT, Tsim KWK. A prepared platelet-rich plasma extract, namely Self-Growth Colony, inhibits melanogenesis by down-regulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in skin melanocyte. J Cosmet Dermatol 2021; 20:3278-3288. [PMID: 33896085 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During melanogenesis, melanocytes produce melanin through enzymatic reactions. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a major regulator in controlling the expressions of melanogenic enzymes tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosine-related protein-1 (TRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). Self-Growth Colony (SGC) is prepared from human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) having an enrichment of growth factors, and which has claimed skin regeneration function. AIM In this study, we aim to identify and investigate the novel role of SGC in skin melanogenesis. METHODS MTT assay was performed to determine the cytotoxicity of applied SGC. Melanin assay was adopted to quantify the intracellular melanin after SGC treatment. Promoter-driven luciferase assay, real-time PCR, and Western blotting were performed to determine the expressions of melanogenic enzymes and MITF in SGC-treated cultured Melan-A cells, being treated with or without UV induction. Ex vivo mouse skin was treated with SGC, and then was subjected to Western blotting and histochemical staining. RESULTS We identified that SGC inhibited melanogenesis in cultured melanocytes and ex vivo mouse skin. The phenomena were attributed to a reduction of MITF expression, which subsequently down-regulated the melanogenic enzymes, that is, TYR, TRP1, and DCT. Moreover, ERK signaling was activated in the SGC-inhibited melanogenesis. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that SGC extracting from human blood can be a safe and potential agent in promoting skin whitening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Suisui Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiyun Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Queenie Wing Sze Lai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Panzhu Bai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kelly Wing Chi Fung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tina Tingxia Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karl Wah Keung Tsim
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
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Novel dissolving microneedles preparation for synergistic melasma therapy: Combined effects of tranexamic acid and licorice extract. Int J Pharm 2021; 600:120406. [PMID: 33711468 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to prepare dissolving microneedles (DMNs) patches containing tranexamic acid (TA) for the treatment of melasma. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were preferred as matrix materials through the compatibility experiment. In the in vitro permeation study, the transdermal amount of TA was significantly promoted through dissolving microneedles with the cumulative release was 44.43 ± 6.55%. By comparison, the release of TA solution assisted with solid microneedles (SMNs) was merely 11.31 ± 2.30% (p < 0.05). Pharmacokinetics study indicated the bioavailability of dissolving microneedles was more than 1.3 times compared with oral administration. In pharmacodynamics investigation, TA dissolving microneedles obviously reduced melanin deposition in the skin of melasma guinea pigs after 8 consecutive administrations. In particular, the combination of tranexamic acid and licorice extract (LIC) dissolving microneedles worked better than tranexamic acid alone. Accelerated stress conditions including high temperature, high humidity, as well as photostability were designed to prove that TA microneedles maintained good pharmaceutical stability. In conclusion, tranexamic acid dissolving microneedles showed reliable quality and remarkable effect. Moreover, the combination of tranexamic acid and licorice extract had a synergistic therapy in melasma.
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