Secretome TGF Beta 3

Summary

A therapeutic modality currently being developed for melasma is secretome. Secretome is a bioactive molecule secreted by mesenchymal stem cells in a conditioned medium containing a large number of growth factors, cytokines, various macromolecules, and extracellular vesicles, including microvesicles and exosomes, that can stimulate various biological reactions, particularly in modulating new tissue formation. Secretome can provide a depigmenting effect by increasing the proliferation and migration of epidermal keratinocytes, which contain melanin pigment, in line with increased fibroblast synthesis.

Secretomes contain various cytokines and growth factors, one of which is transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. TGF-β is primarily secreted by fibroblasts (FB) and, to a lesser extent, by keratinocytes, and plays a crucial role in regulating melanocyte function. TGF-β has been reported to inhibit cAMP/protein kinase A signaling and induce GLI2, which then suppresses microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a central transcription factor in melanogenesis. A study by Moon et al. in Korea examined TGF-β3. Moon et al. examined the effects of TGF-β3 on melanogenesis in human melanocytes co-cultured with skin cells irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light, and in UV-irradiated human skin. The results showed that UVB irradiation or stem cell factor (SCF)/endothelin-1 (ET-1) increased melanogenesis. TGF-β3 effectively inhibited melanin accumulation and tyrosinase activity by downregulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway. TGF-β3 increased the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers.

Mechanistically, TGF-β3 inhibits melanogenesis by inhibiting MITF expression, which is regulated by ERK. TGF-β1 reduces MITF but at the risk of inducing skin fibrosis. However, in the study by Moon et al., the aforementioned TGF Beta 1 function was not found in TGF-β3. Furthermore, TGF-β3 restored skin differentiation function in UV-irradiated keratinocytes.

To date, there have been no clinical trials comparing intradermal injection of concentrated secretome with intradermal injection of concentrated secretome with the addition of TGF-β3 as a melasma therapy in Indonesia, thus encouraging researchers to conduct further research.

Conditions

• Melasma

Interventions

DRUG

Concentrated secretome Injection 3 mL

The secretome used in this research comes from mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue produced by Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Stem Cell Medical Technology. The secretome produced by mesenchymal stem cells is collected, centrifuged to separate it from debris, and followed by filtration with a 0.22 μm pore filter to ensure sterility. Next, the concentration process is carried out using tangential flow filtration with the Spin-X UF 500® concentrator, packaged, and stored at -80 degrees Celsius. The product used is a sterile product, which is tested for sterility and total protein content. When it is to be used, the secretome is removed from the freezer, warmed (thawing), and injected into the patient according to a predetermined method.

DRUG

Concentrated secretome Injection 3 mL with addition of TGF Beta 3

The secretome used in this research comes from mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue produced by Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Stem Cell Medical Technology. The secretome produced by mesenchymal stem cells is collected, centrifuged to separate it from debris, and followed by filtration with a 0.22 μm pore filter to ensure sterility. Next, the concentration process is carried out using tangential flow filtration with the Spin-X UF 500® concentrator, packaged, and stored at -80 degrees Celsius. The product used is a sterile product, which is tested for sterility and total protein content. When it is to be used, the secretome is removed from the freezer, warmed (thawing), and injected into the patient according to a predetermined method after the secretome is ready, TGF beta 3 will be added to secretome

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Indonesia University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-14

Primary Completion

2026-05-14

Completion

2026-12-20

Countries

• Indonesia