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Melanin processing by keratinocytes: A non-microbial type of host-pathogen interaction?
Hugo Moreiras1, Mafalda Lopes-da-Silva1, Miguel C Seabra1
1CEDOC - Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark)
|February 26, 2019
Summary
Skin keratinocytes store melanin in arrested compartments, similar to Plasmodium host-pathogen interactions. This finding offers new insights into skin pigmentation and photoprotection mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Skin pigmentation involves melanin biogenesis and transport within melanocytes.
- Melanin transfer and processing within keratinocytes remain poorly understood.
- Coupled exo/endocytosis is a proposed model for melanin transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore melanin processing within keratinocytes.
- To investigate the mechanisms of melanin storage and persistence.
- To draw parallels between melanin processing and host-pathogen interactions.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent reports on melanin internalization and storage in keratinocytes.
- Comparative analysis of melanin processing and Plasmodium interactions.
- Identification of molecular mechanisms underlying pigment persistence.
Main Results:
- Melanin is internalized and stored in arrested compartments within keratinocytes.
- These compartments allow for long-term pigment persistence.
- A parallelism exists between keratinocyte melanin processing and Plasmodium host-pathogen interactions.
Conclusions:
- Melanin storage in keratinocytes involves arrested compartments.
- The host-pathogen interaction model with Plasmodium provides new insights.
- Understanding these mechanisms enhances knowledge of skin pigmentation and photoprotection.
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