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Cited by 71melanin and skin pigmentationSkin Protection and AgingMelanoma and MAPK Pathways

Significance of melanin distribution in the epidermis for the protective effect against UV light

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Zamudio Díaz, Daniela F., Busch, Loris, Kröger, Marius, Klein, Anna Lena, Lohan, Silke B., Mewes, Karsten R., Vierkotten, Lars, Witzel, Christian +2 more·2024·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-53941-0PMC PMC10861496
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Abstract

Melanin, the most abundant skin chromophore, is produced by melanocytes and is one of the key components responsible for mediating the skin’s response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Because of its antioxidant, radical scavenging, and broadband UV absorbing properties, melanin reduces the penetration of UVR into the nuclei of keratinocytes. Despite its long-established photoprotective role, there is evidence that melanin may also induce oxidative DNA damage in keratinocytes after UV exposure and therefore be involved in the development of melanoma. The present work aimed at evaluating the dependence of UV-induced DNA damage on melanin content and distribution, using reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) models. Tanned and light RHE were irradiated with a 233 nm UV-C LED source at 60 mJ/cm 2 and a UV lamp at 3 mJ/cm 2 . Higher UV-mediated free radicals and DNA damage were detected in tanned RHE with significantly higher melanin content than in light RHE. The melanin distribution in the individual models can explain the lack of photoprotection. Fluorescence lifetime-based analysis and Fontana–Masson staining revealed a non-homogeneous distribution and absence of perinuclear melanin in the tanned RHE compared to the in vivo situation in humans. Extracellularly dispersed epidermal melanin interferes with photoprotection of the keratinocytes.

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  • Pigmented HEE models can be used to assess the effect of melanin following ultraviolet irradiation.

    “Pigmented HEE models can be used to assess the effect of melanin following ultraviolet (UV) irradiation [31].”

    From Diversity of human skin three-dimensional organotypic cultures (2024) · cites this paper as [31]

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References 46 · Cited by 71

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Authors
Zamudio Díaz, D. F., Busch, L., Kröger, M., Klein, A. L., Lohan, S. B., Mewes, K. R., Vierkotten, L., Witzel, C., Rohn, S., & Meinke, M. C.
Affiliations
  • Philipps University of Marburg (DE)
  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
  • Henkel (Germany) (DE)
  • Technische Universität Berlin (DE)
Corresponding author
Meinke, Martina C.
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2024-02-12
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
3488-3488
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-024-53941-0
PMC
PMC10861496
OpenAlex
W4391747494
Cited by
71
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 17
FWCI
15.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
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
melanin distribution, epidermis, ultraviolet radiation, photoprotection, UV-induced DNA damage, keratinocytes, reconstructed human epidermis, free radicals, melanoma, fluorescence lifetime, Fontana-Masson staining
MeSH terms
Epidermis, Humans, Melanins, Melanocytes, Skin, Ultraviolet Rays

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