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LPS induces melanogenesis through p38 MAPK activation in human melanocytes

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Abstract

We have observed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces pigmentation in melanocytes and in this study have examined whether these responses are mediated by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. LPS appears to stimulate the pigmentation of melanocytes and cultured skin. LPS was found to induce the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase protein in cells. Stimulation of melanocytes with LPS led to time dependent phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Furthermore, p38 MAPK functionally regulated the LPS-induced melanin formation in melanocytes; a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, almost completely attenuated the LPS-mediated up-regulation of melanin synthesis and induction of MITF and tyrosinase expression. These findings indicate that activation of p38 MAPK plays an important role in LPS-induced melanogenesis by up-regulating MITF and tyrosinase expression.

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Acknowledgments

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

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

    Joo Hee Ahn, Sun Hee Jin & Hee Young Kang

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  1. Joo Hee Ahn
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  2. Sun Hee Jin
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Correspondence to Hee Young Kang.

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Ahn, J.H., Jin, S.H. & Kang, H.Y. LPS induces melanogenesis through p38 MAPK activation in human melanocytes. Arch Dermatol Res 300, 325–329 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-008-0863-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-008-0863-0

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