title: Ultrastructural assessments of the melanosome distribution patterns and pigmentation features in human epidermal cells after UV irradiation and kojic acid treatment.
abstract: It is well-known that skin pigmentation depends, among others, on number, aggregation and distribution of melanosomes in the epidermis. Here we describe a correlative microscopy-based ultrastructural approach that investigates the spatial distribution and pigmentation features of the melanosomes within melanocytes and keratinocytes. Data obtained from control skin, ultraviolet (UV)-stimulated tissue and kojic acid-treated UV-irradiated explants are compared. We introduce original parameters for the evaluation of the aggregation and pigmentation features of the melanosomes: the aggregation and pigmentation indexes. The aggregation index evaluates the presence of clustered melanosomes when the pigmentation index expresses the electron-density level of the pigment granules. The present study demonstrates that the last parameters clearly express histological effects induced by UVB irradiation. Results indicate that UV light did not change the number of melanosomes within either melanocytes or keratinocytes, but it definitely modified the distribution patterns of the pigment granules in both cell types. It also enhanced the pigmentation state of the epidermal cells. Moreover, statistical analysis concerning keratinocytes discloses a significant decrease in the mean pigmentation index when explants exposed to UV light were treated with kojic acid. Obviously, the present numerical findings point out the relevance of the introduced parameters to characterize the pigmentation state of skin.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoires Clarins, 95300 Pontoise, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vie
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fitoussi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Benetti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gooris
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hemmerlé
mesh_terms: D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020460:Melanosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011753:Pyrones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D011753:Pyrones; C011890:kojic acid