Light-emitting diode 585nm photomodulation inhibiting melanin synthesis and inducing autophagy in human melanocytes

Background: Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation skin disease on face. Light-emitting diode (LED) photomodulation (585nm) is reported to be effective for the treatment of melasma. However, whether and how LED photomodulation would influence melanogenesis of human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs) is unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of LED photomodulation (585nm) on melanogenesis in HEMs.

Methods: HEMs were irradiated with fluences of 0, 5, 10 and 20J/cm² 585nm LED LIGHT. After 5-day treatment, cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 assay, and Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V APC assay. Melanin content and Tyrosinase activity were measured by spectrophotometer. Melanosome stage and autophagosomes were determined under transmission electron microscope (TEM). The formation of autophagic punctate structures was observed under confocal microscope. RT-PCR and western blotting were used to assess the expression of relative mRNA and protein levels.

Results: Yellow LIGHT LED 585nm had no effects on HEMs cell viability and Apoptosis. Treatment with LED 585nm from 5J/cm² to 20J/cm² inhibited melanosome maturation, decreased melanin content and Tyrosinase activity. Inhibition was accompanied by the decreased expression of Tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) on both mRNA and protein levels. Autophagosomes were observed under TEM. Autophagic punctate structures of microtubule-associated protein LIGHT chain 3 (LC3) proteins were induced by LED 585nm LIGHT. The configuration change of LC3 from LC3-I to LC3-II, and the degradation of p62 protein were observed after LED 585nm. Furthermore, we also revealed that the anti-melanogenic effect of LED 585nm photomodulation was reversed by 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), which inhibits Autophagy by blocking autophagosome formation via the inhibition of type III Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI-3K).

Conclusions: Our finding demonstrated that LED photomodulation with 585nm wavelength suppressed melanin content in HEMs, and the effect was caused by its dose-dependent inhibition on melanogenesis and the induction of HEMs Autophagy. This may provide new insights into the efficacy of LED photomodulation in the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders.