This study reports a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technique that is capable of producing a full-thickness skin model containing pigmentation. Multiple layers of fibroblast (FB)-containing collagen hydrogel precursor were printed and crosslinked through neutralization using sodium bicarbonate, constituting the dermal layer. Melanocytes (MCs) and keratinocytes (KCs) were sequentially printed on top of the dermal layer to induce skin pigmentation upon subsequent air-liquid interface culture. Histological analysis was performed not only to confirm the formation of distinct skin layers, but also to identify the presence of pigmentation. The bioprinted skin structure showed the dermal and epidermal layers as well as the terminal differentiation of the KC that formed the stratum corneum. Moreover, the MC-containing epidermal layer showed freckle-like pigmentations at the dermal-epidermal junction, without the use of external ultraviolet light or chemical stimuli. The presented method offers the capability of producing engineered ephelides in biomimetic skin, thus rendering 3D bioprinting techniques as productive on-demand options for the creation of skin models available for therapeutic or research use.

The SLC45A2 gene encodes a Membrane-Associated Transporter Protein (MATP). Mutations of this gene cause oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4). However, the molecular mechanism of its action in melanogenesis has not been elucidated. Here, we discuss the role of MATP in melanin production. The SLC45A2 gene is highly enriched in human melanocytes and melanoma cell lines, and its protein, MATP, is located in melanosomes. The knockdown of MATP using siRNAs reduced melanin content and tyrosinase activity without any morphological change in melanosomes or the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins. Interestingly, the knockdown of MATP significantly lowered the melanosomal pH, as verified through DAMP analysis, suggesting that MATP regulates melanosomal pH and therefore affects tyrosinase activity. Finally, we found that the reduction of tyrosinase activity associated with the knockdown of MATP was readily recovered by copper treatment in the in vitro L-DOPA oxidase activity assay of tyrosinase. Considering that copper is an important element for tyrosinase activity and that its binding to tyrosinase depends on melanosomal pH, MATP may play an important role in regulating tyrosinase activity via controlling melanosomal pH.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-specific secretory hormone that can increase insulin sensitivity and promote adipocyte differentiation. Administration of adiponectin to obese or diabetic mice reduces plasma glucose and free fatty acid levels. Green tea polyphenols possess many pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and antidiabetic activities. To investigate whether green tea polyphenols have an effect on the regulation of adiponectin, we measured expression and secretion levels of adiponectin protein after treatment of each green tea polyphenols in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We found that (−)-catechin enhanced the expression and secretion of adiponectin protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment of (−)-catechin increased insulin-dependent glucose uptake in differentiated adipocytes and augmented the expression of adipogenic marker genes, including PPARγ, CEBPα, FAS, and SCD-1, when (−)-catechin was treated during adipocyte differentiation. In search of the molecular mechanism responsible for inducible effect of (−)-catechin on adiponectin expression, we found that (−)-catechin markedly suppresses the expression of Kruppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) protein, which has recently been reported to inhibit the expression of adiponectin and other adipogenesis related genes, including leptin, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and aP2 in adipocytes. KLF7 is a transcription factor in adipocyte and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Taken together, these data suggest that the upregulation of adiponectin protein by (−)-catechin may involve, at least in part, suppression of KLF7 in 3T3-L1 cells.

No abstract

H19 non-coding RNA downregulation stimulates melanogenesis in melasma patients. However, its mechanism is unclear. In this study, the potential role of a H19 microRNA, miR-675, in melanogenesis was examined. Real-time PCR using cultured normal human skin keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts with or without H19 knockdown showed accompanying changes between expression levels of H19 and those of miR-675 in keratinocytes. MiR-675 was also detected in concentrated culture supernatants and showed expression levels parallel with those of cell lysates. In addition to RNase resistance, FACS analysis showed anti-CD63-positive exosomes in culture supernatants, suggesting miR-675 could be released extracellularly and delivered to neighboring cells without degradation. In western blot analysis, the miR-675 mimic reduced the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase, whereas these expressions were increased by the miR-675 inhibitor. Although H19 was not a miR-675 target, luciferase reporter assay showed a direct binding of miR-675 to 3'-untranslated region of MITF. In addition, localized in vivo miR-675 overexpression in mouse using a cationic polymer transfection reagent showed reduced mRNA expression levels of MITF, tyrosinase, tyrosine-related protein-1 (Trp-1), and Trp-2. Collectively, the results suggest that miR-675 derived from keratinocytes could be involved in H19-stimulated melanogenesis using MITF as a target of miR-675.