Impact of Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone on Mitochondrial Function in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

    November 2025 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”
    Damian Józef Flis, Agatha Stegemann, Andżelika Borkowska, Wiesław Ziółkowski, Michael Böhm
    TLDR Alpha-MSH affects mitochondrial function, and MC1R mutations may increase skin aging.
    This study investigates the impact of alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) on mitochondrial function in human dermal fibroblasts, focusing on the role of melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R). The research compares wild-type MC1R fibroblasts (MC1R-wt-HDFs) with loss-of-function MC1R fibroblasts (MC1R-LOF-HDFs). Results show that MC1R-LOF-HDFs have significantly lower oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) coupling efficiency and mitochondrial respiration after alpha-MSH treatment compared to MC1R-wt-HDFs. The study highlights the potential link between alpha-MSH-MC1R signaling and mitochondrial function, suggesting that MC1R mutations may contribute to increased photoaging. Further research is being conducted to explore the modulation of mitochondrial function through cAMP signaling pathways.
    Discuss this study in the Community →