ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of 8-methoxypsoralen on human melanocytes [Ca(2+)]i and cytoskeleton actin organization in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human melanocytes were obtained from normal foreskins. Laser confocal microscope was employed to measure [Ca(2+)]i and rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin was used to visualize the cytoskeleton actin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>8-methoxypsoralen increased [Ca(2+)]i and induced organization of actin stress fiber cytoskeleton.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>8-methoxypsoralen might influence the migration of melanocytes by increasing the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration and cytoskeleton actin reorganization.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Actins , Genetics , Calcium , Metabolism , Cell Movement , Cells, Cultured , Cytoskeletal Proteins , Genetics , Melanocytes , Cell Biology , Metabolism , Methoxsalen , Pharmacology , Skin , Cell BiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) on adhesion and migration of melanocytes in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human melanocytes were obtained from normal human foreskins. Culture dishes covered with fibronectin were used to perform melanocytes adhesion assay, and cell motility was assessed using the Transwell micropore filter method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>bFGF and alpha-MSH increased melanocytes adhesion on culture dishes covered with fibronectin. bFGF stimulated melanocytes migration through micropore filter while alpha-MSH had no significant effects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>bFGF and alpha-MSH could promote the adhesion and migration of melanocytes, which suggests that two agents may play a role in the repigmentation of vitiligo.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Cell Adhesion , Cell Movement , Cells, Cultured , Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 , Pharmacology , Melanocytes , Cell Biology , alpha-MSH , PharmacologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the Malytea Scurfpea fruit (MSF) on melanocyte adhesion and migration.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Human epidermal melanocytes were treated with MSF and Ginger respectively, then adhesion to bovine serum fibronectin-coated culture dishes was checked. Control and treated cells were also examined for migration into micropore filters coated with the same protein.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with control, MSF treated melanocytes were obviously easier to adhere to the dishes and move into the filters in a dose-dependent manner. When the dose of MSF was 200 mg x L(-1), it could not reincrease melanocyte adhesion and migration. At 10 mg x L(-1), under every other concentrations of MSF, there was no marked difference among MSF-treated, Ginger-treated and untreated melanocytes (P < 0.05) when adhesion test were studied. But to migration, even at 10 mg x L(-1) MSF, there was obvious increased migration compared with MSF-untreated or Ginger-treated melanocytes (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSF has effect on melanocyte adhesion and migration, which can explain, in part, the capacity of MSF to modulate melanocyte function in vitiligo lesions.</p>