Narrow-band ultraviolet-B stimulates proliferation and migration of cultured melanocytes

Narrow-band ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation is an effective treatment for vitiligo vulgaris. However, the mechanisms of narrow-band UVB in inducing repigmentation of vitiligo lesions are not thoroughly clarified. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of narrow-band UVB irradiation on melanocyte proliferation and migration in vitro. Our results showed that the cell counts as well as [3H]thymidine uptake of melanocytes were significantly enhanced by narrow-band UVB-irradiated keratinocyte supernatants. In these supernatants, a significant increase in basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and in endothelin-1 (ET-1) release was observed. bFGF is a natural mitogen for melanocytes, whereas ET-1 can stimulate DNA synthesis in melanocytes. This stimulatory effect of melanocyte proliferation by supernatants derived from narrow-band UVB-irradiated keratinocytes was significantly reduced by a selective endothelin-B (ET-B) receptor antagonist (BQ788), suggesting an essential role of ET-1 on melanocyte proliferation. Our results of time-lapse microphotography revealed a stimulatory effect of narrow-band UVB irradiation on melanocyte migration. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a pivotal role in cell migration. Phosphorylated FAK (p125(FAK)) expression on melanocyte was enhanced by narrow-band UVB irradiation. In this study, narrow-band UVB irradiation stimulated a significant increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in melanocyte supernatants. Narrow-band UVB-irradiation-induced migration of melanocytes was significantly annihilated by the addition of p125(FAK) inhibitor (herbimycin-A) or MMP-2 inhibitor (GM6001). These results suggest that p125(FAK) and MMP-2 activity play important roles in narrow-band UVB-induced migration of melanocytes. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the effectiveness of narrow-band UVB irradiation in treating vitiligo.