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Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Expression of discoidin domain receptor 1 and E-cadherin in epidermis affects melanocyte behavior in
Yuko Abe1, Yutaka Hozumi1, Ken Okamura1
1Department of Dermatology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.
Abstract:
Vitiligo is a depigmentation disease characterized by gradual loss of melanin and melanocytes from the epidermis. The mechanism of melanocyte loss is not yet known. In this report, we showed that the expression of discoidin domain receptor 1 and E-cadherin, known adhesion molecules, was variable or absent in the epidermis of rhododendrol-induced leukoderma (RDIL) mice during the depigmentation process. Our findings suggest that melanocyte damage by rhododendrol promotes reduction of adhesion molecules not only in melanocytes but also in keratinocytes, and this is associated with the detachment of melanocytes from the basal layer.
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