THE INFLUENCE OF MC1R DERMAL MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PHOTOEXPOSED SKIN IN WOMEN REVEALED BY REFLECTANCE CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY AND OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

BACKGROUND: The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene is one of the major determinants of skin pigmentation. It is a highly polymorphic gene and some of its polymorphisms, have been related to specific skin phenotypes, increased risk of skin cancers and skin photoaging. Currently, its contribution to changes in dermal features in photo-exposed skin is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential correlation between MC1R status and specific healthy photoexposed skin characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin facial features were estimated by evaluation with standard digital photography with automated features, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 100 healthy women. Skin of the forearms was used as a control. RESULTS: The study found an association between RHC MC1R polymorphisms and dermal features in photoexposed areas being represented by increased vessel density and pixel density in OCT (p=0.025 and p=0.001, respectively) and increased coarse collagen in RCM (p=0.034), as compared to non-RHC subjects. To our knowledge this is previously unreported. Additionally, previously reported correlations between light hair and skin color and pigmented spots with MC1R RHC polymorphisms have been confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the role of RHC MC1R variants in dermal variations of facial skin, as compared to non-RHC variants. To our knowledge this is previously unreported.