Melanin is a ubiquitous pigment found in plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms. It serves a host of functions such as photoprotection, free-radical quenching, structural color, thermoregulation, and metal ion chelation, among others. In humans, melanin provides pigmentation to the skin and is integral to its protection from UV radiation. Melanin occurs naturally as a polymeric nanoparticle packaged into organelles called melanosomes. These melanosomes are transferred from melanocytes to keratinocytes where they enter the cells and form perinuclear caps that shield the nucleus from UV radiation. Previously we have shown that our synthetic polydopamine melanin mimics can enter human adult epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa cells), form these same perinuclear caps (also known as microparasols), and protect the cells from DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon UV irradiation. Our current work expands the synthetic range of melanin mimics to create a library of nanoparticles with exotic shapes and chemistries, both found in nature and not found in nature. The ensuing particles are capable of penetration into neonatal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK cells), forming perinuclear caps, and protecting the cells from reactive oxygen species upon UV or X-ray irradiation. In addition, there is a dose-dependent, visual “tanning” effect of treatment on the cells. We believe these materials can be formulated for topical delivery to serve several purposes such as a biodegradable/biocompatible sunscreen, self-tanning cream, radioprotective agent, and cosmeceutical/therapeutic for hypopigmentation disorders such as vitiligo and albinism.

Synthetic melanin nanoparticles in 2D and 3D cell culture models: Mimicking human melanosomes

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.