BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a peptide that promotes cell growth by binding to its receptor (EGFR) on the cell surface. EGF has been used in cosmetics to whiten the skin and for the prevention of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), presumably by accelerating wound healing, but the effects of EGF on melanogenesis are not known, and the presence of EGFR on melanocytes has not been confirmed. METHODS: To establish a role of EGF in melanogenesis, we first investigated expression of EGFR on melanocytes. Second, in the search for an effect of EGF on PIH, we investigated the effect of EGF on melanin production by melanocytes with or without laser-treated keratinocyte-conditioned culture media (LCM). RESULTS: Treatment with EGF did not affect proliferation of melan-A, mouse-derived immortalized melanocytes. Melanocytes treated with LCM had greater prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) expression and tyrosinase enzyme activity than melanocytes treated with control media. Treatment with EGF lowered melanin production of LCM-treated melanocytes but not of melanocytes treated with control media. CONCLUSION: Our results support EGF as a candidate target for development of antimelanogenic agents in PIH.
BACKGROUND:Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a peptide that promotes cell growth by binding to its receptor (EGFR) on the cell surface. EGF has been used in cosmetics to whiten the skin and for the prevention of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), presumably by accelerating wound healing, but the effects of EGF on melanogenesis are not known, and the presence of EGFR on melanocytes has not been confirmed. METHODS: To establish a role of EGF in melanogenesis, we first investigated expression of EGFR on melanocytes. Second, in the search for an effect of EGF on PIH, we investigated the effect of EGF on melanin production by melanocytes with or without laser-treated keratinocyte-conditioned culture media (LCM). RESULTS: Treatment with EGF did not affect proliferation of melan-A, mouse-derived immortalized melanocytes. Melanocytes treated with LCM had greater prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) expression and tyrosinase enzyme activity than melanocytes treated with control media. Treatment with EGF lowered melanin production of LCM-treated melanocytes but not of melanocytes treated with control media. CONCLUSION: Our results support EGF as a candidate target for development of antimelanogenic agents in PIH.
Authors: Adam G Evans; Mirjana G Ivanic; Mina A Botros; Rand W Pope; Briana R Halle; Gabriella E Glassman; Rafaella Genova; Salam Al Kassis Journal: Arch Dermatol Res Date: 2021-01-12 Impact factor: 3.017
Authors: Tai Kyung Noh; Bo Young Chung; Su Yeon Kim; Mi Hye Lee; Moon Jung Kim; Choon Shik Youn; Mi Woo Lee; Sung Eun Chang Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2016-09-01 Impact factor: 5.923
Authors: Hye One Kim; Hye Ran Kim; Jin Cheol Kim; Seok Young Kang; Min Je Jung; Sung Eun Chang; Chun Wook Park; Bo Young Chung Journal: Medicina (Kaunas) Date: 2021-02-13 Impact factor: 2.430