Effects of endothelin21 on melanocyte adhesion and migration

Objective To investigate the effect of endothelin21 ( ET21) on the adhesion and migration of melanocyte in vitro. Methods Human epidermal melanocytes that had been cultured and purified were treated with ET21 and observed for adhesion to bovine serum fibronectin2coated culture dishes. Stem cell factor (SCF) and ET21 treated cells were also examined for migration into micropore filters coated with the same protein. Re2 sults Compared with the SCF group , ET21 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 ET21 was 128 nmol/ L or more , it could inhibit the adhesion and migration of melanocyte. At any concentration of ET21 except at 2 nmol/ L , there was a significant difference between ET212treated and untreated melanocytes ( P < 0. 01) when the adhesion test was carried out . However , even at 2 nmol/ L ET21 , there was obviously increased migration compared with those of ET21 untreated melanocytes and SCF2treated cells ( P < 0. 01) . Conclusion ET21 may influence the adhesion and migration of melanocyte , which can partly explain the capacity of ET21 to regulate the melanocyte function in vitiligo lesions.