Senescent fibroblast-derived growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) induces skin pigmentation

In this study, we found that GDF15 expression levels are increased in UV-irradiated senescent fibroblasts and photoaged hyperpigmented skin. To investigate the effects of GDF15 on melanogenesis, normal human melanocytes were co-cultured with fibroblasts infected with the GDF15 lentivirus or sh-GDF15. It was found that GDF15 stimulates melanogenesis in melanocytes through MITF/tyrosinase upregulation via β-catenin signaling. The stimulatory action of GDF15 during pigmentation was further confirmed in ex vivo cultured skin and in a reconstituted human skin sample.

Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - May 12, 2020 Category: Dermatology Authors: Yeongeun Kim, Bogyeong Kang, Jin Cheol Kim, Tae Jun Park, Hee Young Kang Tags: Original Article Source Type: research