Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Corresponding author
Arianna Mastrofrancesco
Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Sarah Mosca
Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Monica Ottaviani
Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Stefania Briganti
Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Giorgia Cardinali
Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Angela Filoni
Dermatology Department, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Norma Cameli
Dermatology Department, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Marco Zaccarini
Genetic Research, Molecular Biology and Dermatopathology Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Christos C. Zouboulis
Departments of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology, Dessau Medical Center, Brandenburg Medical School Theodore Fontane and Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Dessau, Germany
Mauro Picardo
Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Corresponding author
Summary: Melasma is a hyperpigmentary disorder with photoaging features, whose manifestations appear on specific face areas, rich in sebaceous glands (SGs). To explore the SGs possible contribution to the onset, the expression of pro-melanogenic and inflammatory factors from the SZ95 SG cell line exposed to single or repetitive ultraviolet (UVA) radiation was evaluated. UVA up-modulated the long-lasting production of α-MSH, EDN1, b-FGF, SCF, inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Irradiated SZ95 sebocyte conditioned media increased pigmentation in melanocytes and the expression of senescence markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors regulating melanogenesis in fibroblasts cultures. Cocultures experiments with skin explants confirmed the role of sebocytes on melanogenesis promotion. The analysis on sebum collected from melasma patients demonstrated that in vivo sebocytes from lesional areas express the UVA-activated pathways markers observed in vitro. Our results indicate sebocytes as one of the actors in melasma pathogenesis, inducing prolonged skin cell stimulation, contributing to localized dermal aging and hyperpigmentation.
