Disruption of melanosome transport in melanocytes treated with theophylline causes their degradation by autophagy.

Melanosomes containing melanin are transported from the perinuclear area to the tips of dendrites in epidermal melanocytes, and are then transferred to keratinocytes. Thus, skin color is determined by the amount of melanin synthesized in melanocytes and the subsequent dispersion of melanosomes in the epidermis. Therefore, disrupting intracellular melanosome transport in melanocytes is considered an effective approach to regulate skin color. However, the fate of melanosomes that accumulate in melanocytes due to disrupted intracellular transport is unclear. In this study, we disrupted melanosome transport by knockdown of the motor protein MyosinVa. Knock-down of MyosinVa (M-KD) in cells treated with theophylline significantly down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of tyrosinase. Interestingly, intracellular melanin contents in M-KD cells were decreased. Furthermore, M-KD cells showed activation of autophagy through increased expression of Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) -II and decreased expression of p62. The sum of these results indicate that disruption of melanosome transport causes their degradation by autophagy.

The UV-induced uptake of melanosome by skin keratinocyte is triggered by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated phagocytosis.

The melanosome is an organelle that produces melanin for skin pigmentation, which is synthesized by epidermal melanocytes, subsequently transported and internalized by epidermal keratinocytes. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) from sunlight radiation is a major stimulator of melanosome uptake by keratinocytes. Acetylcholine (ACh) is known to be released by keratinocytes under UV exposure, which regulates melanin production in melanocytes by participating in which has been named as 'skin synapse'. Here, the role of cholinergic molecules, i.e. ACh and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), in regulating melanosome uptake through phagocytosis by keratinocytes was illustrated. In cultured keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), the fluorescent beads at different sizes imitating melanosomes, or melanosomes, were phagocytosed under UV exposure. The UV-induced phagocytosis in keratinocytes was markedly increased by applied ACh, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor or an α7 nAChR agonist. By contrast, the antagonist of α7 nAChR was able to fully block the UV-induced phagocytosis, suggesting the role of α7 nAChR in this event. The intracellular Ca++ mobilization was triggered by UV exposure, accounting for the initiation of phagocytosis. The blockage of UV-mediated Ca++ mobilization, triggered by BAPTA-AM or α7 nAChR antagonist, resulted in a complete termination of phagocytosis. Besides, the phosphorylation of cofilin, as well as expression and activation of RhoA, accounting for phagocytosis was induced by UV exposure: the phosphorylation was blocked by BAPTA-AM or α7 nAChR antagonist. The result suggests that the cholinergic system, especially α7 nAChR, is playing a regulatory role in modulating melanosome uptake in keratinocytes being induced by UV exposure.

Melanocyte-keratinocyte cross-talk in vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a common acquired pigmentary disorder that presents as progressive loss of melanocytes from the skin. Epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes are in close proximity to each other, forming a functional and structural unit where keratinocytes play a pivotal role in supporting melanocyte homeostasis and melanogenesis. This intimate relationship suggests that keratinocytes might contribute to ongoing melanocyte loss and subsequent depigmentation. In fact, keratinocyte dysfunction is a documented phenomenon in vitiligo. Keratinocyte apoptosis can deprive melanocytes from growth factors including stem cell factor (SCF) and other melanogenic stimulating factors which are essential for melanocyte function. Additionally, keratinocytes control the mobility/stability phases of melanocytes via matrix metalloproteinases and basement membrane remodeling. Hence keratinocyte dysfunction may be implicated in detachment of melanocytes from the basement membrane and subsequent loss from the epidermis, also potentially interfering with repigmentation in patients with stable disease. Furthermore, keratinocytes contribute to the autoimmune insult in vitiligo. Keratinocytes express MHC II in perilesional skin and may present melanosomal antigens in the context of MHC class II after the pigmented organelles have been transferred from melanocytes. Moreover, keratinocytes secrete cytokines and chemokines including CXCL-9, CXCL-10, and IL-15 that amplify the inflammatory circuit within vitiligo skin and recruit melanocyte-specific, skin-resident memory T cells. In summary, keratinocytes can influence vitiligo development by a combination of failing to produce survival factors, limiting melanocyte adhesion in lesional skin, presenting melanocyte antigens and enhancing the recruitment of pathogenic T cells.

The involvement of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in the premature senescence of melanocytes induced by H2O2 through a p53-independent p21 pathway.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of vitiligo is still unknown and oxidative stress is an important factor that can damage or incapacitate melanocytes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of oxidative stress in the premature senescence of melanocytes and their transfer of melanosomes. METHODS: Cultured human melanocytes were treated with H2O2 after which cell viability and apoptosis were assessed. We investigated whether exposure to H2O2 induces premature senescence. RNA sequencing was used to screen aging-related signaling pathways. The expression of dendritic regulatory proteins, adhesion molecules and cell cytoskeletal proteins, as well as melanosome distribution were characterized. The ROS scavenger NAC was used to study the role of ROS in cell senescence and in melanosome transfer. RESULTS: Cell viability decreased progressively and cell apoptosis increased after treatment with H2O2. H2O2 treatment tended to induce premature senescence in melanocytes through a p53-independent p21 pathway. RNA sequencing analysis showed that H2O2 treatment induced the differential expression of MAPK signaling pathway components. Western blotting and qRT-PCR confirmed that H2O2 treatment increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, which are involved in inducing the senescence of melanocytes, but not JNK. The expression of cell cytoskeleton and adhesion molecules decreased after H2O2 treatment. p21 siRNA treatment reversed these changes. Treatment with NAC improved the premature senescence and the impaired melanosome transfer induced by H2O2. CONCLUSION: H2O2 increases ROS levels, which activates the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways to induce the premature senescence of melanocytes through p21 via a p53-independent pathway and consequently disrupts melanosome transfer.

Loss of EMP2 Inhibits Melanogenesis of MNT1 Melanoma Cells via Regulation of TRP-2.

Melanogenesis is the production of melanin from tyrosine by a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, in which tyrosinase and DOPA oxidase play key roles. The melanin content in the skin determines skin pigmentation. Abnormalities in skin pigmentation lead to various skin pigmentation disorders. Recent research has shown that the expression of EMP2 is much lower in melanoma than in normal melanocytes, but its role in melanogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of EMP2 in the melanogenesis of MNT1 human melanoma cells. We examined TRP-1, TRP-2, and TYR expression levels during melanogenesis in MNT1 melanoma cells by gene silencing of EMP2. Western blot and RT-PCR results confirmed that the expression levels of TYR and TRP-2 were decreased when EMP2 expression was knocked down by EMP2 siRNA in MNT1 cells, and these changes were reversed when EMP2 was overexpressed. We verified the EMP2 gene was knocked out of the cell line (EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9) by using a CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that the expression levels of TRP-2 and TYR were significantly lower in the EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9 cell lines. Loss of EMP2 also reduced migration and invasion of MNT1 melanoma cells. In addition, the melanosome transfer from the melanocytes to keratinocytes in the EMP2 KO cells cocultured with keratinocytes was reduced compared to the cells in the control coculture group. In conclusion, these results suggest that EMP2 is involved in melanogenesis via the regulation of TRP-2 expression.

Quantification of Melanosome Transfer Using Immunofluorescence Microscopy and Automated Image Analysis.

The study of skin pigmentation requires determining the rate of melanin production in melanocytes and quantifying the rate of melanosome transfer to keratinocytes. Here, we describe a method to quantify melanosome transfer using immunofluorescence microscopy coupled with automated image analysis of in vitro human melanocytes and keratinocytes in co-culture. In this method, the number of melanin capped keratinocyte nuclei is quantified.

A red pumpkin seed extract reduces melanosome transfer to keratinocytes by activation of Nrf2 signaling.

BACKGROUND: The induction of skin pigmentation by ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been shown to result from factors secreted from UV-exposed keratinocytes that enhance melanogenesis in melanosomes (MSs) and stimulates their transfer to keratinocytes. Among those factors, it has been reported that α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, which is converted from the precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) following UV exposure, stimulates the transfer of MSs from melanocytes to surrounding keratinocytes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a red pumpkin seed (RPS) extract on the transfer of MSs to keratinocytes and to clarify the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the UVB-induced transfer of MSs. METHODS: The transfer of MSs into keratinocytes was examined by measuring the incorporation of fluorescent beads, which were used as pseudo-MSs. mRNA expression levels of POMC, Nrf2, and Nrf2-related genes were determined using real-time PCR. Intracellular ROS levels were estimated with H2 DCFDA. RESULTS: The incorporation of fluorescent beads into keratinocytes was enhanced by treatment with the conditioned medium (CM) from keratinocytes exposed to UVB or H2 O2 . UVB or H2 O2 exposed keratinocytes had an up-regulated mRNA expression level of POMC. Treatment of keratinocytes with the RPS extract enhanced their intracellular antioxidant system via the activation of Nrf2 signaling and suppressed their incorporation of fluorescent beads that had been stimulated by the CM from UVB or H2 O2 exposed keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the RPS extract suppresses MS transfer stimulated by ROS generated following UVB exposure through the activation of Nrf2 signaling.

The effect of the NMDA receptor-dependent signaling pathway on cell morphology and melanosome transfer in melanocytes.

BACKGROUND: The pigmentation of skin and hair in mammals is driven by the intercellular transfer of melanosome from the melanocyte to surrounding keratinocytes However, the detailed molecular mechanism is still a subject of investigation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent signaling pathway on melanocyte morphologic change and melanosome transfer between melanocytes and keratinocytes. METHODS: The expression and the intracellular distribution of NMDA receptor in human melanocyte were analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Melanocytes were treated with 100µM NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate] and 100µM NMDA receptor agonist NMDA, after which the morphological change of melanocyte dendrites and filopodias were observed by scanning electron microscope. The ß-tubulin distribution and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were observed by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry under the same treatment respectively. In addition, melanocytes and keratinocytes were co-cultured with or without treatment of MK-801, and the melanosome transfer efficacy were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We show that human epidermal melanocytes expresses NMDA receptor 1, one subtype of the ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). Stimulation with agonist of NMDA receptor increased the number of melanocyte filopodia. In contrast, blockage of NMDA receptor with antagonist decreased the number of melanocyte filopodia and this morphological change was accompanied by the disorganization of ß-tubulin microfilaments in the intracellular cytoskeleton. In melanocyte-keratinocyte co-cultures, numerous melanocyte filopodia connect to keratinocyte plasma membranes; agonist of NMDA receptor exhibited an increased number of melanocyte filopodia attachments to keratinocyte, while antagonist of NMDA receptor led to a decreased. Moreover, antagonist of NMDA receptor decreased the intracellular calcium concentration in melanocytes and reduced the efficacy of melanosome transfer. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that filopodia delivery is the major mode of melanosome transfer between melanocytes and keratinocytes. NMDA drives melanosome transfer by promoting filopodia delivery and direct morphological effects on melanocytes, while MK-801 affects the intracellular ß-tubulin redistribution and the filopodia delivery between melanocytes and keratinocytes. We hypothesize that NMDA receptor-dependent signaling is involved in melanosome transfer, which is associated with calcium influx, cytoskeleton protein redistribution, dendrites and filopodia formation. A thorough understanding of melanosome transfer is crucial for designing treatments for hyper- and hypo-pigmentary disorders of the skin.

Low-concentration hydrogen peroxide can upregulate keratinocyte intracellular calcium and PAR-2 expression in a human keratinocyte-melanocyte co-culture system.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) may have a biphasic effect on melanin synthesis and melanosome transfer. High H2O2 concentrations are involved in impaired melanosome transfer in vitiligo. However, low H2O2 concentration promotes the beneficial proliferation and migration of melanocytes. The aim of this study was to explore low H2O2 and its mechanism in melanosome transfer, protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) expression and calcium balance. Melanosomes were fluorescein-labeled for clear visualization of their transfer. The expression of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) in keratinocytes was determined by western blot analysis. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the effects of H2O2 on calcium levels in keratinocytes. Fluorescence microscopy showed the upregulation of melanosome transfer into keratinocytes following 0.3 mM H2O2 treatment in the co-cultures rather than in the untreated control groups, which was associated with higher expression of PAR-2 protein and increased calcium concentration. The addition of a PAR-2 antagonist inhibited the positive activity of H2O2 and calcium flow in keratinocytes. When calcium flow was blocked by a calcium chelator, the addition of H2O2 did not increase the PAR-2 expression level in keratinocytes, therefore, inhibiting dendrite formation and melanosome transfer. Low H2O2 concentration promotes melanosome transfer with increased PAR-2 expression level and calcium concentration in keratinocytes. In addition, the interaction between melanocytes and keratinocytes is more beneficial to enhance calcium levels in keratinocytes which mediate melanin transfer. Moreover, low H2O2 concentration promotes dendrite formation, in which extracellular calcium and Par-2 were involved.

N-Nicotinoyl dopamine inhibits skin pigmentation by suppressing of melanosome transfer.

We investigated the inhibitory effects of a niacinamide derivative, N-Nicotinoyl dopamine (NND) on melanogenesis. NND inhibits melanosome transfer in a normal human melanocyte-keratinocyte co-culture system and through phagocytic ability without affecting viability of cells while it did not show inhibitory effects of tyrosinase and melanin synthesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. In addition, safety of NND was verified through performing neural stem cell morphology assay. Our findings indicate that NND may potentially be used for cosmetic industry for improvement of skin whitening and therapies related with several skin disorders, and the effect of NND may be acquired via reduction of melanosome transfer.

Heparin inhibits melanosome uptake and inflammatory response coupled with phagocytosis through blocking PI3k/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways in human epidermal keratinocytes.

To gain insight for the role of mast cell-produced heparin in the regulation of epidermal homeostasis and skin pigmentation, we have investigated the effect of heparin on melanosome uptake and proinflammatory responses in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). We quantified phagocytic activity of NHEKs with uptake of melanosomes or fluorescent microspheres. Heparin exhibited the inhibitory effect on keratinocyte phagocytosis through blocking PI3k/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. In fact, the heparin-treated NHEKs showed impaired activation of Akt and ERK during phagocytosis, whereas PI3k and MEK inhibitors significantly suppressed melanosome uptake by NHEKs. In addition, the inflammation marker cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) production were induced during phagocytosis, while these effects were downregulated in the presence of heparin. Our observations suggest that heparin may play an antiphagocytic and anti-inflammation role in epidermis of human skin.

Skin as a living coloring book: how epithelial cells create patterns of pigmentation.

The pigmentation of mammalian skin and hair develops through the interaction of two basic cell types - pigment donors and recipients. The pigment donors are melanocytes, which produce and distribute melanin through specialized structures. The pigment recipients are epithelial cells, which acquire melanin and put it to use, collectively yielding the pigmentation visible to the eye. This review will focus on the pigment recipients, the historically less understood cell type. These end-users of pigment are now known to exert a specialized control over the patterning of pigmentation, as they identify themselves as melanocyte targets, recruit pigment donors, and stimulate the transfer of melanin. As such, this review will discuss the evidence that the skin is like a coloring book: the pigment recipients create a 'picture,' a blueprint for pigmentation, which is colorless initially but outlines where pigment should be placed. Melanocytes then melanize the recipients and 'color in' the picture.