Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes melanocyte migration via increased expression of p125FAK on melanocytes

Abstract

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by depigmentation of skin and hair. Melanocyte migration is an important event in re-pigmentation of vitiligo. We have demonstrated that narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation stimulated cultured keratinocytes to release a significant amount of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Furthermore, narrow-band UVB enhanced migration of melanocytes via increased expression of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) on melanocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of recombinant human bFGF (rhbFGF) on melanocyte migration. The relationship between the expression of p125FAK and melanocyte migration induced by rhbFGF was also studied. Our results demonstrated that rhbFGF significantly enhanced migration of melanocytes and p125FAK expression on melanocytes. Herbimycin A, a potent p125 FAK inhibitor, effectively abolished rhbFGF-induced melanocyte migration. The combined results indicated that p125FAK plays an important role in the signal transduction pathway of melanocyte migration induced by bFGF. © 2006 Acta Dermato-Venereologica.