• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2009

To evaluate the effect of antioxidant on the cytotoxicity induced by oxidative stress of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured human skin melanocytes, colorimeric assay of XTT and tyrosinase activity assay were adopted after human skin melanocytes were preincubated for 2 hours in the media containing various concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) before the treatment of hydrogen peroxide. Light microscopic study was carried out in same cultures. The results of this study were as follows 1. Cell viability of human skin melanocytes was significantly decreased by 30 and $40{\mu}M$ of hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$), respectively. 2. XTT50 was determined at $30{\mu}M$ after human skin melanocytes were treated with $10{\sim}40{\mu}M$ of hydrogen peroxide for 6 hours. 3. The cell viability of cultured human skin melanocytes pretreated with SOD was increased than that of cultured human skin melanocytes treated with $H_2O_2$ dose-dependently. 4. In tyrosinase activity of human skin melanocytes, the cell treated with SOD showed brown stain compared with $H_2O_2$ treated cells, dark stain. 5. In light microscopy, cultured human skin melanocytes exposed to $H_2O_2$ showed morphological changes such as the decreased cell number and cytoplasmic processes, compared with control. 6. In light microscopy, cultured human skin melanocytes pretreated with SOD showed the increase of cell number and cytoplasmic processes compared with $H_2O_2-treated$ group. From these results, it is suggested that oxidative stress of ROS such as $H_2O_2$ has cytotoxicity by showing the decreased cell viability, the increased tyrosinase activity and mophological changes of the decreased cell number and cytoplasmic processes. While, antioxidant like SOD was effective in the prevention of oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity by the increased cell viability, decreased tyrosinase activity and the protection of degenerative morphological changes in cultured human skin melanocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.311-316
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• 2003

Endothelins secreted from keratinocytes are intrinsic mitogens and melanogens of human melanocytes in UVB-induced hyperpigmentation. To elucidate the cellular mechanism of antimelanogenic activity of bamboo extract, the effects of three ingredients of bamboo extract on endothelin 1 (ET-1)-induced $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization were investigated in cultured human melanocytes. ET-1 receptors in human melanocytes were characterized by using specific antagonist, and ET-1 was found to increase intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) by activating ET-B receptor. SM709 (1,2-O-diferulyl-glycerol), an ingredient of bamboo extract, inhibited ET-1-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, although another ingredients SM707 and SM708 had no effect on ET-1-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase in human melanocytes. SM709 ($100{\mu}M$), however, did not affect $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase induced by thapsigargin and caffeine, suggesting that SM709 has no effect on the $Ca^{2+}$ store in melanocytes. Furthermore, SM709 did not affect $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase induced by LPA or ATP, known as G protein-mediated PLC activators like ET-1. Taken together, it is suggested that SM709 antagonizes ET-1-induced transmembrane signaling through ET-B receptor, which maybe a possible underlying mechanism of antimelanogenic activity of bamboo extract in human melanocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2014

Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder induced by a loss of melanocytes. In addition to replacement of pure melanocytes, cocultures of melanocytes with keratinocytes have been used to improve the repigmentation outcome in vitiligo treatment. We previously identified by in vitro studies, that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) could be a potential substitute for keratinocytes in cocultures with melanocytes. In this study, the efficacy of pigmentation including durability of grafted melanocytes and short-term safety was examined in the nude mouse and Sprague-Dawley rat after grafting of primary cultured human melanocytes, with or without different ratios of primary cultured human ADSCs. Simultaneous grafting of melanocytes and ADSCs, which were separately cultured and mixed on grafting at the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3, showed better efficacy than that of pure melanocytes. Grafting of melanocytes cocultured with ADSCs resulted in a similar outcome as the grafting of cell mixtures. Skin pigmentation by melanocytes : ADSCs at the ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 was better than at 1:3. No significant difference was observed between the 1-week and 2-week durations in coculturing. Time-course microscopic examination showed that the grafted melanocytes remained a little longer than 6-week post-grafting. No inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the grafted skin and no melanocytes were detectable in other organs. Collectively, grafting of melanocytes and ADSCs was equally safe and more effective than grafting of melanocytes alone. Despite the absence of significant differences in efficacy between the group of 1:1 and that of 1:2 ratio, 1:2 ratio for 1-week coculturing may be better for clinical use from the cost-benefit viewpoint.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.217-220
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• 2002

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation may activate or deteriorate cultured human epidermal melanocytes, depending on the doses and culture conditions. In this study, we examined whether apoptosis of melanocytes can be induced by physiologic doses of UVB irradiation. PI staining for DNA condensation and flow cytometric analyses demonstrated the apoptotic cell death of melanocytes after UVB irradiation. The level of p53 and Bax revealed a dose-dependent increase with increasing dose of UVB, but the level of Bcl-2 remained unchanged. Confocal microscopic examination showed that Bax moved trom a diffuse to a punctate distribution after UVB irradiation. However, there were no changes in the pattern of Bcl-2. We next examined the downstream targets of apoptosis. Our results showed that a precursor form of caspase-3 disappeared with increasing doses of UVB. We also observed cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) after UVB irradiation. In addition, UVB irradiation resulted in a remarkable activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results indicate that UVB may induce apoptosis via JNK activation in human melanocytes.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.739-746
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• 2003

Ultraviolet B (UVB) is known to induce apoptosis in human melanocytes. Here we show the cytoprotective effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) against UVB-induced apoptosis. We also show that UVB-induced apoptosis of melanocytes is mediated by caspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and that S1P prevents apoptosis by inhibiting this apoptotic pathway. We further investigated three major mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases after UVB irradiation. UVB gradually activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase, while extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) was inactivated transiently. Blocking of the p38 MAP kinase pathway using SB203580 promoted cell survival and inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. These results suggest that p38 MAP kinase activation may play an important role in the UVB-induced apoptosis of human melanocytes. To explain this cytoprotective effect, we next examined whether S1P could inhibit UVB-induced JNK and p38 MAP kinase activation. However, S1P was not found to have any influence on UVB-induced JNK or p38 MAP kinase activation. In contrast, S1P clearly stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK, and the specific inhibition of the ERK pathway using PD98059 abolished the cytoprotective effect of S1P. Based on these results, we conclude that the activation of p38 MAP kinase plays an important role in UVB-induced apoptosis, and that S1P may show its cytoprotective effect through ERK activation in human melanocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2019

Coculture with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can stimulate proliferation and migration of melanocytes. To enhance outcomes of skin disorders caused by melanocyte loss or death, mixed transplantation with ADSCs has been suggested. However, role of cocultured ADSCs in proliferation and migration of melanocytes remains unclear. This study determined the effect of ADSCs on production of growth factors and expression levels of intergrins in primary culture of adult human melanocytes with or without ADSCs and in nude mice grafted with such melanocytes. Higher amounts of growth factors for melanocytes, such as bFGF and SCF were produced and released from ADSCs by coculturing with melanocytes. Relative levels of integrins ${\beta}1$, ${\alpha}5$, and ${\alpha}6$ as well as adhesion to fibronectin and laminin were increased in melanocytes cocultured with ADSCs. Such increases were inhibited by neutralization of bFGF or SCF. Relative levels of bFGF, SCF and integrins were increased in nude mice skin after grafting with melanocyte+ADSC cocultures. Collectively, these results indicate that ADSCs can stimulate proliferation and migration of melanocytes by increasing expression of integrins in melanocytes through upregulation of production/release of melanocyte growth factors such as bFGF and SCF.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.115-121
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• 1997

To identify inhibitors of melanogenesis, we compared the effects of 5 compounds on mushroom tyrosinase, human melanocytic tyrosinase activity and melanin content. The cytotoxicyty of the components were also tested on cultured human melanoctes. Kojic acid showed marked inhibitory effect both on mushroom and human tyrosinase activity. This action of kijic acid is stronger than that of ascorbic acid. Arbutin inhibited human tyrosinase activity of cultured melanocytes although it had slightly inhibitory effect on mushroom tyrosinase activity. Azelaic acid had no effect on human tyrosinase activity. Melanin production was inhibited significantly by kojic acid and tranexamic acid. MTT assay showed that all of the compounds were non-cytotoxic to melanocytes at the concentrations tested. These results suggest that the effect of kojic acid on cultured meanocytes involve inhibition of tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis without affection the cell number.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.25 no.4 s.34
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• pp.133-143
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• 1999

To identify inhibitory effect of Bamboo extract on melanogenesis, the effect was compared with arbutin, ascorbic acid, hydroquinone, and kojic acid on the melanin biosynthesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells and cultured human melanocytes. The cell viability of the agent was tested on cultured human melanocytes. We also examined its. free radical scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH). Bamboo extract showed considerable effect against melanin production and did not reduce cell viability at the concentration tested. It also showed potent free radical scavenging activity.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.95.2-96
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• 2003

Ultraviolet B (UVB) is known to induce apoptosis in human melanocytes. Here we show the cytoprotective effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) against UVB-induced apoptosis. We also show that UVB-induced apoptosis of melanocytes is mediated by caspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and that S1P prevents apoptosis by inhibiting this apoptotic pathway. We further investigated three major subfamilies of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and the Akt pathway after UVB irradiation. (omitted)

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.840-845
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• 2003

Temperature change is one of the major environmental factors that influence the human skin. However, the relationship between temperature and melanogenesis has received little attention. In the present study, we investigated the effects of temperature change on melanogenesis in a mouse melanocyte cell line (Mel-Ab), and primary cultured human melanocytes. We found that Mel-Ab cells cultured at low temperatures (31 and 34$^{\circ}C$) produce less melanin than cells at 37$^{\circ}C$. These results were confirmed by experiments upon human melanocytes, demonstrating that the hypopigmenting effect of low temperatures is not cell type dependent. The observed melanin production was found to be accompanied by tyrosinase activity at each temperature, indicating that tyrosinase activity is regulated by temperature. We further examined whether the incubation period at low temperatures plays an important role in the regulation of melanogenesis. Short exposures to 27$^{\circ}C$ for 1 h or 3 h did not affect tyrosinase activity or melanin synthesis, whereas long exposures to 31$^{\circ}C$ for 2 days or 6 days significantly reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in a duration-dependent manner. Our results suggest that exposure to low temperature and the duration of this exposure are important regulators of melanogenesis.