Melanogenesis and Melasma Treatment

Melanocytes are highly specialised dendritic cells that transfer melanin to keratinocytes in subcellular lysosome-like organelles called melanosomes, where melanin is synthesised and stored. Melanin is a complex pigment that provides colour and photoprotection to the skin, hair, and eyes of mammals. The regulation of melanogenesis includes various mechanisms and factors including genetic, environmental, and endocrine factors. Knowledge of the pigmentation process is important not only to understand hyperpigmentation but also to design treatments and therapies to treat them. Whitening cosmetics with anti-melanogenesis activity are very popular. In the present manuscript, we review the mechanisms and the signalling pathways involved in skin pigmentation and we specifically focus on the alteration of melanogenesis that leads to melasma and results in hyperpigmentation. Finally, current therapies and treatments including topical, oral, and phototherapies are discussed and described, with a special emphasis on the cosmetics’ action.

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Obesity-associated cancer: an immunological perspective

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665115004176 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 75 (2) ◽

pp. 125-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Melissa J. Conroy ◽

Margaret R. Dunne ◽

Claire L. Donohoe ◽

John V. Reynolds

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Inflammatory Cells ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Signalling Pathways ◽

Immune Balance ◽

Immune Cell Subsets ◽

Cancer Types ◽

Endocrine Factors

Epidemiological studies have established an association between obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and a number of cancer types. Research has focused predominantly on altered endocrine factors, growth factors and signalling pathways, with little known in man about the immune involvement in the relevant pathophysiological processes. Moreover, in an era of exciting new breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, there is also a need to study the safety and efficacy of immunotherapeutics in the complex setting of inflammatory-driven obesity-associated cancer. This review addresses key immune cell subsets underpinning obesity-associated inflammation and describes how such immune compartments might be targeted to prevent and treat obesity-associated cancer. We propose that the modulation, metabolism, migration and abundance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cells and tumour-specific T cells might be therapeutically altered to both restore immune balance, alleviating pathological inflammation, and to improve anti-tumour immune responses in obesity-associated cancer.

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Human dendritic cells activated with MV130 induce Th1, Th17 and IL-10 responses via RIPK2 and MyD88 signalling pathways

European Journal of Immunology ◽

10.1002/eji.201747024 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 180-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Cristina Cirauqui ◽

Cristina Benito-Villalvilla ◽

Silvia Sánchez-Ramón ◽

Sofía Sirvent ◽

Carmen M. Diez-Rivero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dendritic Cells ◽

Signalling Pathways ◽

Human Dendritic Cells

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Effect of lipopolysaccharide, skin sensitizers and irritants on thioredoxin-1 expression in dendritic cells: relevance of different signalling pathways

Archives of Dermatological Research ◽

10.1007/s00403-009-0993-z ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 302 (4) ◽

pp. 271-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vera Francisco ◽

Bruno Miguel Neves ◽

Maria Teresa Cruz ◽

Margarida Gonçalo ◽

Américo Figueiredo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dendritic Cells ◽

Signalling Pathways ◽

Thioredoxin 1

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Pathology: bone

10.1093/med/9780198734444.003.0010 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Rik J. Lories ◽

Georg Schett

Keyword(s):

Bone Formation ◽

Structural Damage ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Signalling Pathways ◽

New Bone Formation ◽

Different Types ◽

Significant Burden ◽

Current Therapies ◽

Developmental Signalling ◽

Biomechanical Factors

Axial spondyloarthritis is associated with different types of skeletal damage. Inflammation at the affected sites is linked with both loss of trabecular bone and new bone formation on the cortical side, potentially leading to joint or spine ankylosis. Both aspects of the disease can result in a significant burden for the patient. Bone loss is directly linked to proinflammatory cytokines and activation of osteoclasts. Control of inflammation is therefore the best strategy to prevent loss of bone. The nature of the new bone formation process is less defined. A prominent role for developmental signalling pathways has been proposed. Current therapies have limited or no impact on this process. However, emerging data suggest that early control of disease activity may be part of a window of opportunity to prevent structural damage, as biomechanical factors and instability following inflammation may also play a role.

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