Skin-depigmenting agent monobenzone induces potent T-cell autoimmunity toward pigmented cells by tyrosinase haptenation and melanosome autophagy

J Invest Dermatol. 2011 Jun;131(6):1240-51. doi: 10.1038/jid.2011.16. Epub 2011 Feb 17.

Abstract

In this study, we report the previously unknown mechanism of inducing robust anti-melanoma immunity by the vitiligo-inducing compound monobenzone. We show monobenzone to increase melanocyte and melanoma cell immunogenicity by forming quinone-haptens to the tyrosinase protein and by inducing the release of tyrosinase- and melanoma antigen recognized by T cells-1 (MART-1)-containing CD63+ exosomes following melanosome oxidative stress induction. Monobenzone further augments the processing and shedding of melanocyte-differentiation antigens by inducing melanosome autophagy and enhanced tyrosinase ubiquitination, ultimately activating dendritic cells, which induced cytotoxic human melanoma-reactive T cells. These T cells effectively eradicate melanoma in vivo, as we have reported previously. Monobenzone thereby represents a promising and readily applicable compound for immunotherapy in melanoma patients.

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmunity / drug effects*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / analysis
  • Haptens / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydroquinones / pharmacology*
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Melanins / biosynthesis
  • Melanocytes / drug effects*
  • Melanocytes / immunology
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Melanoma / therapy
  • Melanosomes / drug effects*
  • Melanosomes / physiology
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / immunology
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Skin Pigmentation / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Haptens
  • Hydroquinones
  • Melanins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • monobenzone
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase