Cited by 156melanin and skin pigmentationSkin Protection and AgingMelanoma and MAPK Pathways

The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediates UVB Radiation–Induced Skin Tanning

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Jux, Bettina, Kadow, Stephanie, Luecke, Sandra, Rannug, Agneta, Krutmann, Jean, Esser, Charlotte·2011·Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Abstract

Melanogenesis is the vital response to protect skin cells against UVB-induced DNA damage. Melanin is produced by melanocytes, which transfer it to surrounding keratinocytes. Recently, we have shown that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is part of the UVB-stress response in epidermal keratinocytes. UVB triggers AhR signaling by generating the AhR ligand 6-formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole from tryptophan. We show here that normal murine melanocytes express functional AhR. Using standard UVB tanning protocols, AhR-deficient mice were shown to tan significantly weaker than wild-type mice; in these mice, tyrosinase activity in the epidermis was lower as well. Tanning responses and tyrosinase activity, however, were normal in keratinocyte-specific conditional AhR knockout mice, indicating that release of melanogenic keratinocyte factors is unaffected by the UVB-AhR signaling pathway and that the diminished tanning response in AhR(-/-) mice is confined to the level of melanocytes. Accordingly, the number of dihydroxyphenylalanin-positive melanocytes increased significantly less on UVB irradiation in AhR(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice. This difference in melanocyte number was associated with a significantly reduced expression of stem cell factor-1 and c-kit in melanocytes of AhR(-/-) mice. Thus, the environmental signal sensor AhR links solar UVB radiation to skin pigmentation.

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Crossref · 10.1038/jid.2010.269

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Authors
Jux, B., Kadow, S., Luecke, S., Rannug, A., Krutmann, J., & Esser, C.
Affiliations
  • Leibniz Institute of Environmental Medicine (DE)
  • Karolinska Institutet (SE)
Corresponding author
Esser, Charlotte
Venue
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-01
Volume
131
Issue
1
Pages
203-210
ISSN
0022-202X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1966603244
Cited by
156
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 12
FWCI
5.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Investigative Dermatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Melanoma and MAPK Pathways
Keywords
aryl hydrocarbon receptor, UV-B radiation, tanning, melanogenesis, melanocytes, keratinocytes, FICZ, tryptophan metabolism, tyrosinase activity, CD117, melanocyte proliferation, skin pigmentation, conditional knockout mice
MeSH terms
Epidermal Cells, Animals, Cell Count, Cell Differentiation, Cells, Cultured, Epidermis, Melanins, Melanocytes, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Skin Pigmentation, Ultraviolet Rays, Keratinocytes, Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon, Mice, Knockout, Mice

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