Inhibition of mast cell degranulation by melanin

Biochemical Pharmacology
Yoshiyuki KawamotoKozue Takeda

Abstract

Melanin is a dark naturally occurring pigment produced in nature and in many organisms. Although several reports have demonstrated applications for melanins in various therapeutic treatments, to date, no research has examined the anti-allergic effect of melanin. In this study, we for the first time found that solubilized or synthesized soluble melanin acts as a potent inhibitor of the degranulation of mast cells. We found that squid-ink-derived melanin significantly inhibited antigen-IgE-FcεRI-mediated degranulation of the mucosal mast cell line RBL-2H3. A homogenized melanin nanoparticle prepared by laser ablation also clearly suppressed antigen-induced mast cell degranulation. We also successfully solubilized synthetic melanin in a neutral biochemical buffer and found that it also significantly inhibited IgE-sensitized mast cells. The anti-degranulation activity of synthesized melanin was abolished in the melanin fraction below 50-kD molecular weight. All melanins used in this study did not exert significant cell death. Signal transduction analysis revealed that melanin suppressed antigen-triggered phosphorylation of signaling molecules as well as calcium influx. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that homogenized mela...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 9, 2020·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Sarit PalAnatoliy A Gashev
Jan 26, 2021·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Yunxiao ZhangZhonghua Liu
May 12, 2020·Current Protein & Peptide Science·Huda Fatima RajaniMohammad Mahmoudi Gomari

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