2. Academic Validation
  3. HSV-1 inhibits melanogenesis of PIG1 cells through downregulation of VN1R5/ERK pathway

HSV-1 inhibits melanogenesis of PIG1 cells through downregulation of VN1R5/ERK pathway

  • Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Feb 6;317(1):347. doi: 10.1007/s00403-025-03844-5.
Yuxin Feng 1 2 3,  Shibin Jiang 1 2,  Jinping Yuan 1 2,  Kun Zhou 4,  Yansong Lu 1 2,  Fenglin Zhuo 5,  Xing-Hua Gao 1 2,  Hong-Duo Chen 1 2,  Rui-Qun Qi 6 7,  Yan Wu 8 9
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
  • 2 Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Ministry of Education and NHC, National Joint Engineering Research Center for Theranostics of Immunological Skin Diseases, Shenyang, China.
  • 3 Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
  • 4 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Ji'nan, China.
  • 5 Department of Dermatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
  • 6 Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. xiaoqiliumin@163.com.
  • 7 Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Ministry of Education and NHC, National Joint Engineering Research Center for Theranostics of Immunological Skin Diseases, Shenyang, China. xiaoqiliumin@163.com.
  • 8 Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Ministry of Education and NHC, National Joint Engineering Research Center for Theranostics of Immunological Skin Diseases, Shenyang, China. jlwuyan@126.com.
  • 9 Department of Dermatology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. jlwuyan@126.com.
PMID: 39912936 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-025-03844-5
Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is an ubiquitous pathogen that can infect humans through skin or mucous regions. This study was to explore the effects and underlying mechanism of HSV-1 as examined within the human epidermal melanocyte cell line, PIG1. Our results showed that following HSV-1 Infection, PIG1 cells shrank and acquired a rounded shape, while the numbers and lengths of their dendrites decreased and melanogenesis was inhibited. Meanwhile, the HSV-1 receptors (nectin-1, herpes virus entry mediator, paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor alpha) and phospho-extracellular signal-regulating kinase (p-ERK) were all substantially decreased, while vomeronasal type-1 receptor 5 (VN1R5) increased. Results of RNA interference and protein inhibitor assays revealed that knockdown of VN1R5 increased the expression of p-ERK and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), while an inhibition of ERK decreased VN1R5 expression. Taken together, our study provides the first evidence that HSV-1 can infect human normal melanocytes and inhibit melanogenesis through VN1R5/ERK pathway.

Keywords

ERK; Herpes simplex virus type 1; Melanin; Melanocytes; Melanogenesis; Vitiligo.

Figures
Products
  • Cat. No.
    Product Name
    Description
    Target
    Research Area
  • HY-50846
    99.45%, ERK1/2 Inhibitor
    ERK