Effects of endothelin-1 on melanocyte adhesion and migration

Objective To investigate the effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the adhesion and migration of melanocyte in vitro. Methods Human epidermal melanocytes that had been cultured and purified were treated with ET-I and observed for adhesion to bovine serumfibronectin-coated culture dishes. Stem cell factor (SCF) and ET-1 treated cells were also examined for migration into micropore filters coated with the same protein. Results Gompared with the SCF group , ET-1 treated melanocytes were easier to adhere to the dishes and to be moved into the filters , especially when the concentration was 32 nmol/L. When the concentration of ET-I was 128 nmol/L or more , it could inhibit the adhesion and migration of melanocyte. At any concentration of ET-I except at 2 nmol/L , there was a significant difference between ET-I-treated and untreated melanocytes (P <0. 01) when the adhesion test was carried out. However, even at 2 nmol/L ET-I , there was obviously increased migration compared with those of ET-I untreated melanocytes and SCF-lrealcd cells (<().01). Conclusion ET-1 may influence the adhesion and migration of melanocyte . which can partly explain the capacity of ET-1 to regulate the melanocyte function in vitiligo lesions.