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Methyl-β-cyclodextrin, a specific cholesterol-binding agent, inhibits melanogenesis in human melanocytes through activation of ERK

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Abstract

Cholesterol has been suggested to regulate cell differentiation. In this study, we have examined the effects of cholesterol modulation on pigmentation of skin using a treatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), a specific cholesterol-binding agent. Treatment with MβCD reduced pigmentation in human melanocyte and cultured skin. This decrease in pigmentation was related to the inhibition of the expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor of melanocytes. Stimulation of melanocytes with MβCD led to the time-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Furthermore, ERK functionally regulated the MβCD-induced melanin formation in melanocytes; a ERK inhibitor, PD98059, almost completely attenuated the MβCD-mediated inhibition of melanin synthesis and down-regulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression. These results suggest that cholesterol reduction by MβCD inhibit melanin synthesis via ERK activation and subsequent MITF downregulation.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the “GRRC” Project of Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Republic of Korea and by the Korean Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) Grant funded by the Korean government (MOST) (R13-2003-019).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea

    Sun Hee Jin, Young Yi Lee & Hee Young Kang

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  1. Sun Hee Jin
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  2. Young Yi Lee
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Correspondence to Hee Young Kang.

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Jin, S.H., Lee, Y.Y. & Kang, H.Y. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin, a specific cholesterol-binding agent, inhibits melanogenesis in human melanocytes through activation of ERK. Arch Dermatol Res 300, 451–454 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-008-0864-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-008-0864-z

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