siRNA-mediated knock-down of COX-2 in melanocytes suppresses melanogenesis

46Citations
Citations of this article
49Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme induced in response to multiple mitogenic and inflammatory stimuli, including UV light. UV-induced COX-2 expression induces production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in keratinocytes, which mediates inflammation and cell proliferation. Until recently, studies regarding COX-2 and PGE2 in the skin have focused on keratinocytes and skin cancer and the effect of PGs produced by keratinocytes on melanocytes. However, the effects of COX-2 itself or COX-2 inhibitors on melanogenesis are not well known. Therefore, to establish the role of COX-2 in melanogenesis, we investigated the effects of knock-down of COX-2 in melanocytes on melanin production and the expression of melanogenic molecules through silencing of COX-2 expression with COX-2 short interfering RNA (siRNA). COX-2 knock-down in melanocytes decreased the expressions of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, gp100 and MITF and also reduced tyrosinase enzyme activity. Furthermore, COX-2 siRNA-transfected melanocytes showed markedly reduced alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanin production. In addition, α-MSH-induced COX-2 expression in both scrambled siRNA-transfected and COX-2 siRNA-transfected melanocytes was greater than α-MSH-untreated cells. Our results suggest that COX-2 might be a candidate target for the development of anti-melanogenic agents and α-MSH-induced pigmentation could be closely associated with COX-2 expression. COX-2 inhibitors might therefore be of particular use in whitening cosmetics for hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and solar lentigo. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Kim, J. Y., Shin, J. Y., Kim, M. R., Hann, S. K., & Oh, S. H. (2012). siRNA-mediated knock-down of COX-2 in melanocytes suppresses melanogenesis. Experimental Dermatology, 21(6), 420–425. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2012.01483.x

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free