Modulation of the cross-talk in melanogenesis: a novel multifunctional peptide
ARIADNA GRAU-CAMPISTANY*, PATRICIA CARULLA, MIRIAM MATEU, SILVIA PASTOR
*Corresponding author
Lipotrue, Gavá, Barcelona, Spain
Abstract
Pigmentation issues are one of the most common skincare concerns among consumers of all ages and gender. In this context, we present a smartly-designed peptide, D17ChAH, a novel acetyl hexapeptide-1, which was used to address skin pigmentation through a multi-target mechanism of action. The peptide tackles specific cell-to-cell communication network between fibroblasts, melanocytes and keratinocytes by significantly decreasing production of Stem Cell Factor (KITLG/SCF) protein in both, HDFa and HEKa. KITLG/SCF modulation leads to a decrease of the paracrine communication, reducing the number, size and dendrites of melanocytes. Finally, the clinical efficacy was performed on Asian volunteers, where we were able to conclude that novel acetyl hexapeptide-1 shows excellent skin lightening activity while highlighting the natural glow and boosting the skin antioxidation and hydration.
INTRODUCTION
Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common concerns of cosmetic consumers. With the increasing awareness of the role of exposure to ultraviolet radiation in the development of photoaging, there is an urgent need for new active ingredients that act on this undesired pigmentation, which are highly active, safe, stable and compatible with sun exposure, some of the drawbacks of the current agents in the market.
However, skin coloration is a result of many complex processes and years of investigation in pigmentation have been able to establish that there are multiple factors that regulate skin pigmentation:
Melanosome biogenesis, transport and transfer: Melanin biosynthesis is a complex pathway that takes place in highly specialized cells, called melanocytes, within membrane-bound organelles, known as melanosomes (1). Within melanosomes, we can find the transcription factor Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) playing a key role in their development, differentiation, function, and survival (2) and enzymes absolutely necessary for the synthesis of melanin (3) such as t ...
