Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Rapid Generation of Primary Murine Melanocyte and Fibroblast Cultures
Published on: June 26, 2019
Emerging Roles of Dermal Fibroblasts in Hyperpigmentation and Hypopigmentation: A Review
1Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.
Dermal fibroblasts significantly influence skin pigmentation by secreting factors that either promote or inhibit melanin production. Understanding these fibroblast-derived signals offers new therapeutic targets for treating pigmentary disorders like melasma and vitiligo.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Skin pigmentation disorders significantly impact patients' psychological well-being.
- Dermal fibroblasts play a crucial role in regulating skin pigmentation through secreted factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on dermal fibroblast influence on hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.
- To identify potential new therapeutic targets for pigmentary disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of PubMed using keywords: fibroblast factors, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation.
- Comprehensive summary and analysis of the retrieved studies.
Main Results:
- Fibroblasts secrete pigmentation-promoting cytokines (e.g., SCF, KGF) and inhibitors (e.g., DKK1, TGF-β).
- Fibroblast-derived ECM affects melanocyte tyrosinase activity and melanosome transfer.
- In hyperpigmentation, promoting factors increase; in hypopigmentation, inhibitory factors rise.
Conclusions:
- Fibroblasts synthesize and secrete diverse cytokines and proteins impacting melanin synthesis and transfer.
- These factors play key roles in various pigmentary disorders, including photoaging, melasma, solar lentigo, and vitiligo.
- Fibroblasts represent a promising therapeutic target for precise treatment of pigmentary disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Introduction to Fibroblasts
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...

