Human hair follicle pigmentary unit as a direct target for modulators of melanogenesis, as studied by [¹⁴C]-2-Thiouracil incorporation

Authors: Michelet, Jean-François; Gautier, Brigitte; Gaillard, Olivier; Bernard, Bruno Alain; Benech, Florence

Source: Experimental Dermatology, Volume 18, Number 4, April 2009 , pp. 414-416(3)

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Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate human hair follicle melanogenic activity using the [¹⁴C]-2-thiouracil, which was known to incorporate into nascent melanins. Results obtained on pigmented, grey and non-pigmented hair follicles demonstrated that [¹⁴C]-2-TU incorporation was restricted to the melanogenic compartment with a strong accumulation located around dermal papilla and within the fibre of pigmented hair follicles. Quantitative analysis of [¹⁴C]-2-TU incorporation showed a significant increase in pigmented hair follicles upon stimulation with 1 μmforskolin concomitant to an increase in tyrosinase levels. A strong significant decrease in [¹⁴C]-2-TU incorporation was noted, when hair follicles were incubated with the tyrosinase competitive inhibitor kojic acid (200 μm). Incubation with the MC1-R agonist α-MSH (0.2 μm) did not induce a significant stimulation of hair melanogenesis. The present model could thus represent a useful new tool to identify modulators of human hair pigmentation.

Keywords: alpha-MSH; forskolin; greying; kojic acid; tyrosinase

Document Type: Letter to the Editor

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2008.00804.x

Publication date: 2009-04-01