Roles of inflammation factors in melanogenesis (Review)

The occurrence of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation after inflammation is a common condition in dermatology and cosmetology. Since the exact mechanism of its occurrence is not yet known, prevention and treatment are troublesome. Previous studies have confirmed that α‑melanocyte‑stimulating hormone, stem cell factor and other factors can promote melanogenesis‑related gene expression through the activation of signaling pathways. Recent studies have revealed that a variety of inflammatory mediators can also participate in the regulation of melanogenesis in melanocytes. In this review, we summarized that interleukin‑18, interleukin‑33, granulocyte‑macrophage colony stimulating factor, interferon‑γ, prostaglandin E2 have the effect of promoting melanogenesis, while interleukin‑1, interleukin‑4, interleukin‑6, interleukin‑17 and tumor necrosis factor can inhibit melanogenesis. Further studies have found that these inflammatory factors may activate or inhibit melanogenesis‑related signaling pathways (such as protein kinase A and mitogen activated protein kinase) by binding to corresponding receptors, thereby promoting or inhibiting the expression of melanogenesis‑related genes and regulating skin pigmentation processes. This suggests that the development of drugs or treatment methods from the perspective of regulating inflammation can provide new ideas and new targets for the treatment of pigmented dermatosis. This review outlines the current understanding of the inflammation factors' roles in melanogenesis.