Melanin Transfer in the Epidermis: The Pursuit of Skin Pigmentation Control Mechanisms
Autor: | Miguel C. Seabra, Duarte C. Barral, Hugo Moreiras |
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Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
Keratinocytes
0301 basic medicine melanocyte QH301-705.5 melanosome keratinocyte Skin Pigmentation Review Biology Melanocyte melanocore Catalysis Inorganic Chemistry Melanin 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine medicine Animals Humans biochemistry Biology (General) melanokerasome Physical and Theoretical Chemistry QD1-999 Molecular Biology Spectroscopy Melanosome Melanins integumentary system Organic Chemistry General Medicine melanin Computer Science Applications Chemistry 030104 developmental biology medicine.anatomical_structure 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis Melanocytes sense organs Epidermis Keratinocyte Neuroscience Healthcare system |
Zdroj: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 22, Iss 4466, p 4466 (2021) |
ISSN: | 1422-0067 |
Popis: | The mechanisms by which the pigment melanin is transferred from melanocytes and processed within keratinocytes to achieve skin pigmentation remain ill-characterized. Nevertheless, several models have emerged in the past decades to explain the transfer process. Here, we review the proposed models for melanin transfer in the skin epidermis, the available evidence supporting each one, and the recent observations in favor of the exo/phagocytosis and shed vesicles models. In order to reconcile the transfer models, we propose that different mechanisms could co-exist to sustain skin pigmentation under different conditions. We also discuss the limited knowledge about melanin processing within keratinocytes. Finally, we pinpoint new questions that ought to be addressed to solve the long-lasting quest for the understanding of how basal skin pigmentation is controlled. This knowledge will allow the emergence of new strategies to treat pigmentary disorders that cause a significant socio-economic burden to patients and healthcare systems worldwide and could also have relevant cosmetic applications. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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