Silk Fibroin-Based Hydrogel Microneedles Deliver Alpha-MSH to Promote Melanosome Delivery for Vitiligo Treatment

April 2023 in “ ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering ”

Shu-bin Chong, Chengxiu Wei, Longbao Feng, Rui Guo

silk fibroin hydrogel microneedles α-MSH melanocytes dendrite extension melanosome transfer melanogenesis hair follicle stem cells proliferative activity vitiligo alpha-MSH melanin production skin pigmentation skin depigmentation

TLDR Silk fibroin microneedles can effectively treat vitiligo by promoting skin pigmentation.

The study explores the use of silk fibroin-based hydrogel microneedles for delivering α-MSH to treat vitiligo, a skin condition characterized by depigmentation. These microneedles facilitate the direct delivery of α-MSH to the epidermis, which aids in protecting melanocytes, extending melanocytic dendrites, and transferring melanosomes. This process up-regulates the expression of melanogenesis-related factors and increases the number of hair follicle stem cells with good proliferative activity. The slow-release mechanism of α-MSH through these microneedles presents a novel approach for vitiligo treatment.

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