The Expression of Fibroblast-derived Cytokines in Melasma

Abstract

Background: The pathogenesis of melasma has not yet been clearly identified. Recently, it was reported that dermal fibroblasts played an important role in the epidermal pigmentary disorders. Objectives: To investigate the role of fibroblast-derived cytokines, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stem cell factor (SCF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-1alpha in the development of melasma. Method: Using immunohistochemistry, we measured the levels of cytokines produced by fibroblasts derived from lesional skin, compared with perilesional normal skin in 50 melasma patients. Results: The expression of HGF and SCF was found to be significantly increased in the lesional dermis compared to perilesional normal skin. However, there was no significant difference in the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha in melasma skin. Conclusion: These results may indicate that the dermal fibroblast-derived cytokines, HGF and SCF play an important role in the mechanism of hyperpigmentation in melasma.