Donor Specific Response of Estrogen and Progesterone on Cultured Human Melanocytes

Abstract

The mechanisms of estrogen and progesterone in human cutaneous pigmentation are largely unknown. The molecular identification of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the human melanocytes is of great importance to understand the mechanisms. We performed immunocytochemistry analysis and demonstrated that ER and PR were expressed in the cytoplasms and nuclei of human melanocytes. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequence analysis confirmed the expression of ER and PR at the transcriptional level. Despite of the presence of ER and PR, the physiological and pregnant levels of estrogen and progesterone showed inconsistent effects on the proliferation and tyrosinase activity of cultured human melanocytes. These results suggest that human melanocytes express ER and PR, which have a donorspecific action in human pigmentation. Further studies are needed to elucidate the induction mechanism and functions of these receptors, and the role of estrogen and progesterone in melanocytes.

Association of estrogen receptor 1 intron 1 C/T polymorphism in Korean vitiligo patients

“…It is well known that estrogen increases the pigment cell activity [14]. It was reported that human melanocytes express ESR which have specific action in human pigmentation [32,33]. However, the genetic mechanisms of estrogen in human skin pigmentation are not known largely.…”

DermaGene and VitmiRS: a comprehensive systems analysis of genetic dermatological disorders

“…Alterations in CAT have been reported to result in the reduction of the catalase enzyme activity and consequently evoke excess H 2 O 2 accumulation in the entire epidermis of vitiligo patients (Casp et al 2002). Although the genetic mechanisms of estrogen in increased pigment cell activity are not largely known yet, ESR1 expression on human melanocytes has been demonstrated to have specific actions in human pigmentation (Im et al 2002). Also, genetic variation in ESR1 gene has been reported to show its association with vitiligo (Jin et al 2004).…”

Study of Hormonal Profile in Female Melasma Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…Vitro studies. [4,5] have shown that cultured human melanocytes express oestrogen receptors and estradiol increases the levels of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related-protein 1 and 2, the enzymes involved in human eumelanogenesis within normal human melanocytes. Although, oestrogen has been hypothesized to be central in the pathogenesis of melasma, there had been few studies to support this view.…”