Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 2 (sFRP2) Functions as a Melanogenic Stimulator; the Role of sFRP2 in UV-Induced Hyperpigmentary Disorders

In this study, we found that secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (sFRP2) is overexpressed in the hyperpigmentary skin of melasma and solar lentigo and in acutely UV-irradiated skin. To investigate the effect of sFRP2 on melanogenesis, normal human melanocytes were infected with sFRP2-lentivirus or sh-sFRP2. It was found that sFRP2 stimulates melanogenesis through microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and/or tyrosinase upregulation via β-catenin signaling. The stimulatory action of sFRP2 in pigmentation was further confirmed in melanocytes cocultured with fibroblasts and in ex vivo cultured skin. The findings suggest that sFRP2 functions as a melanogenic stimulator and that it plays a role in the development of UV-induced hyperpigmentary disorders.