Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) play a key role in immunity against cancer; however, the induction of CTL responses with currently available vaccines remains difficult. Because several reports have suggested that pigmentation and immunity might be functionally linked, we investigated whether melanin can act as an adjuvant in vaccines. Short synthetic peptides (8-35 amino acids long) containing T...

The highly molecular weight melanin pigments which are widespread in living organisms are usually formed due to the oxidation and polymerization of phenolic compounds into eumelanin, pheomelanin and neuromelanin. Almost of these pigments are stable, insoluble and biochemical substance resistance. They have a strong ability to absorb the ultraviolet radiation and scattering the light. There prop...

It has been known for a long time that the melanin pigments present in normal skin, hair, and most of malignant melanomas can be detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry. In this study, we used EPR imaging as a tool to map the concentration of melanin inside ex vivo human pigmented and nonpigmented melanomas and correlated this cartography with anatomopathology. We obtaine...

Background: Intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser treatment parameters should be high enough to sufficiently damage target lesions while minimizing collateral damage to surrounding tissue. Fitzpatrick Skin Typing, a common assessment tool for these treatments, does not directly account for the density of melanin, a highly absorbing chromophore typically located in the epidermis. Quantification o...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Gallus gallus domesticus (GD) is a natural mutant breed of chicken in Korea with an atypical characterization of melanin in its tissue. This study investigated the effects of melanin extracts of GD on osteoblast differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast formation. MATERIALS/METHODS The effects of the melanin extract of GD on human osteoblast MG-63 cell differentiation...

Melanin biopolymers are currently the focus of growing interest for a broad range of applications at the cutting edge of biomedical research and technology. This Special Issue presents a collection of papers dealing with melanin-type materials, e.g., polydopamine, for classic and innovative applications, offering a stimulating perspective of current trends in the field. Besides basic scientists...

Successful treatment of port wine stain (PWS) birthmarks in human skin utilizes cryogen spray cooling (CSC) in conjunction with laser treatment. CSC pre-cools the epidermis to protect it from subsequent laser irradiation which raises the temperature of both the epidermis and the deeper PWS. As the epidermal temperature is depressed by cryogen, damage to the skin surface is minimized while the P...

BACKGROUND Recently, people have begun showing heightened interest in skin whitening. Melanin is an important factor that determines skin color. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of Taraxacum mongolicum (TAM) with phreatic water (PW) from Dogo Hot Springs on melanin synthesis. METHODS We assessed the inhibitory effects of TAM on melanin synthesis in B16F10 mous...

In this study, we investigate the potential of Moricandia arvensis methanol leaf extract (MeOHL) on calpain activity, melanin biosynthesis and DNA mutagenicity. Cytotoxic effect and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by lucigenin in colorectal cells (BE) were also determined. In addition the chemical analysis of the extract was also studied and the chemical profile illustrates...