Journal Article

Clinical and Biological Characterization of Skin Pigmentation Diversity and Its Consequences on UV Impact

Duval, Christine, Del Bino, Sandra, Bernerd, Françoise

2018

Overview

Skin color diversity is the most variable and noticeable phenotypic trait in humans resulting from constitutive pigmentation variability. This paper will review the characterization of skin pigmentation diversity with a focus on the most recent data on the genetic basis of skin pigmentation, and the various methodologies for skin color assessment. Then, melanocyte activity and amount, type and distribution of melanins, which are the main drivers for skin pigmentation, are described. Paracrine regulators of melanocyte microenvironment are also discussed. Skin response to sun exposure is also highly dependent on color diversity. Thus, sensitivity to solar wavelengths is examined in terms of acute effects such as sunburn/erythema or induced-pigmentation but also long-term consequences such as skin cancers, photoageing and pigmentary disorders. More pronounced sun-sensitivity in lighter or darker skin types depending on the detrimental effects and involved wavelengths is reviewed.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Animals / Dermatology / Erythema - etiology / Erythema - genetics / Erythema - metabolism / Gene expression / Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Genomes / Humans / Hypotheses / Melanins - analysis / Melanins - genetics / Melanins - metabolism / Multiculturalism & pluralism / Phenotype / Pigmentation Disorders - etiology / Pigmentation Disorders - genetics / Pigmentation Disorders - metabolism / Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Proteins / Review / Skin cancer / Skin Diseases - etiology / Skin Diseases - genetics / Skin Diseases - metabolism / Skin Neoplasms - etiology / Skin Neoplasms - genetics / Skin Neoplasms - metabolism / Skin Pigmentation - radiation effects / Sunburn & sun tanning / Sunburn - etiology / Sunburn - genetics / Sunburn - metabolism / Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects