Cellular Lysosomes’ Activity for Melanin Reduction on Artificial Skin Tissue

• Published in: Molecular biotechnology Vol. 62; no. 3; pp. 185 - 191
• Main Authors: Park, Dong Jun, Jeon, Gyeongchan, Bang, Seung Hyuck, Kim, Sang Yong, Wee, Ji-Hyang, Kim, Yang-Hoon, Min, Jiho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biological Techniques; Biotechnology; Cell Biology; Cell viability; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Correlation analysis; Digestive system; Eukaryotes; Human Genetics; Humans; Hyperpigmentation; Keratinocytes; Keratinocytes - cytology; Keratinocytes - metabolism; Kojic acid; Lysosomes; Lysosomes - metabolism; Melanin; Melanins - biosynthesis; Melanocytes; Melanocytes - cytology; Melanocytes - metabolism; Original Paper; Photochemicals; Protein Science; Skin; Skin, Artificial; Three dimensional models; Waste materials; Lysosomal enzyme; MelanoDerm; Melanin reduction; Artificial skin tissue; Lysosome
• ISSN: 1073-6085; 1559-0305
• DOI: 10.1007/s12033-019-00235-w

All eukaryotes have lysosomes which contain hydrolytic enzymes such as protease to degrade waste materials and cellular fragments. As a cellular organelle, lysosomes function as the digestive system of the cell, serving both to degrade material taken up from outside the cell and to digest obsolete components of the cell itself. Conversely, melanin has photochemical functions to protect tissue from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. However, too much of melanin leads to problems such as hyperpigmentation, requiring materials to maintain and control the amount of melanin. In this study, we found evidence of correlation between lysosome and melanin in a new eco-friendly material, MelanoDerm, a reconstituted 3D human skin model containing normal melanocytes and keratinocytes. Melanin content assay and cell viability were measured, using 2% kojic acid as positive control, while MelanoDerm was exposed to various concentrations of lysosome. Our results indicate that lysosome may be a useful cosmetic agent for the treatment of hyperpigmentation.