Activation of Toll-like Receptors 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 on Human Melanocytes Modulate Pigmentation.
- Author:
Sun Hee JIN
1
;
Hee Young KANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords: Melanocytes; Pigmentation; Toll-like receptors
- MeSH: Aminoquinolines; Blotting, Western; Flagellin; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Ligands; Melanins; Melanocytes; Pigmentation; RNA, Messenger; Skin; Toll-Like Receptors; Zebrafish
- From:Annals of Dermatology 2010;22(4):486-489
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Human melanocytes are not simply pigment-producing cells. It may be part of the inflammatory response, during which the pigmentary system may produce more melanin or suppress melanization. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been implicated in both innate host defense against pathogens and inflammatory response. Therefore, it may be possible that activation of TLRs in melanocytes may play a role in the modulation of melanogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether normal human melanocytes expressed TLRs and analyzed pigmentation changes upon TLR stimulation. The expression of TLR1~10 mRNA in cultured human melanocyte was analyzed using RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Human melanocytes constitutively express mRNA and protein for TLR2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10. Stimulation of TLR1/2 and 4 with Pam3CSK4 and lipopolysaccharide induced pigmentation of melanocytes. Activation of TLR5 and 7 with flagellin and imiquimod treatments reduced pigmentation of melanocytes and zebrafish. In summary, the results provided evidence for TLRs expression in normal human melanocytes. It is speculated that a response of melanocyte to TLR ligands may play a role in the pigmentary change in the skin.
