The influence of MC1R on dermal morphological features of photo‐exposed skin in women revealed by reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography

• DOI: 10.1111/exd.14037
• Publication Date: 2019-09-14T11:29:41Z
• Authors: Stefania Guida; Silvana Ciardo; Barbara De Pace; Nathalie De Carvalho; Francesca Peccerillo; Marco Manfredini; Francesca Farnetani; Johanna Chester; Shaniko Kaleci; Michele Manganelli; Gabriella Guida; Giovanni Pellacani
• Keywords: Adult; 0301 basic medicine; Microscopy, Confocal; skin photoageing; MC1R; dynamic-optical coherence tomography; melanocortin 1 receptor; reflectance confocal microscopy; skin photoaging; reflectance confocal microscopy; Middle Aged; Skin Aging; 3. Good health; dynamic-optical coherence tomography; melanocortin 1 receptor; 03 medical and health sciences; dynamic optical coherence tomography; MC1R; skin photoaging; dynamic optical coherence tomography; melanocortin 1 receptor; reflectance confocal microscopy; skin photoageing;; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1; Tomography, Optical Coherence

AbstractBackgroundThe melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene is one of the major determinants of skin pigmentation. It is a highly polymorphic gene and some of its polymorphisms have been related to specific skin phenotypes, increased risk of skin cancers and skin photoageing. Currently, its contribution to changes in dermal features in photo‐exposed skin is unknown.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential correlation between MC1R status and specific healthy photo‐exposed skin characteristics.Materials and methodsSkin facial features were estimated by evaluation with standard digital photography with automated features count, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 100 healthy women. Skin of the forearms was used as a control.ResultsThe study found an association between RHC MC1R polymorphisms and dermal features in photo‐exposed areas being represented by increased vessel density and pixel density in OCT (P = .025 and P = .001, respectively) and increased coarse collagen in RCM (P = .034), as compared to non‐RHC subjects. To our knowledge this is previously unreported. Additionally, previously reported correlations between light hair colour and pigmented spots with MC1R RHC polymorphisms have been confirmed.ConclusionsOur results suggest the role of RHC MC1R variants in dermal variations of facial skin, as compared to non‐RHC variants. To our knowledge this is previously unreported.