Effects of fibroblast-derived factors from melasma skin on the melanogenesis of human melanocytes in culture and of pigmented epidermal equivalents

초록

Background: Melasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentary disorder. Though its pathogenesis is known to be related with sun-exposure, sex hormone, and stress, it is poorly understood why it recurs easily and is frequently aggravated with treatments. We have demonstrated that repeated ultraviolet light exposure induced fibroblast senescence and increased SCF secretion from the fibroblasts. And we suggested a role of fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of hyperpigmentation disorders induced by chronic sun exposure such as melasma. Objectives: In this study, we wanted to know whether the primarily cultured fibroblasts from melasma tissue have a melanogenic function. Methods: We also investigated its cytokine profile and the effect on the cultured human epidermal melanocytes and the pigmented epidermal equivalents. Results: Fibroblasts from the melasma secreted more IL-1a, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a, HGF, SCF, NGF-b, and NT-3. The perilesional skin fibroblasts had more NGF, NT-3 than buttock skin. The conditioned medium of fibroblasts from the melasma and perilesional skin increased melanogenesis of cultured human epidermal melanocytes by increasing tyrosinase, TRP1, TRP2 and SCF. In the study with pigmented epidermal equivalents, melanin, NGF, NGFR, and SCF were increased in the equivalents co-cultured with melasma and perilesional fibroblasts than buttock skin. Conclusion: We suggest melasma lesional as well as perilesional fibroblasts play an important role in the pathogenesis of melasma. Keyword: Fibroblast, Melasma, Nerve growth factor, Stem cell factor