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Melanocyte growth factor in normal human skin.

T Horikawa¹, K Nishino, Y Mishima

¹Department of Dermatology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.

Pigment Cell Research

|February 1, 1991

Summary

Normal human skin contains melanocyte growth factor (MeGF), a protein supporting melanocyte function. This bFGF-like factor is found in both epidermal and dermal skin extracts, indicating its crucial role in skin biology.

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Area of Science:

Dermatology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Melanocytes are crucial for skin pigmentation and protection.
The specific growth factors supporting melanocytes in normal skin remain incompletely understood.
Previous research has hinted at growth factor involvement in epidermal homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and characterize melanocyte growth factor (MeGF) in normal human skin.
To investigate the source and properties of MeGF within skin tissues.
To determine the relationship between MeGF and known growth factors like bFGF.

Main Methods:

Extraction of MeGF activity from epidermal and dermal human skin samples.
Heparin affinity chromatography for MeGF purification and characterization.
Immunological assays using antibodies against basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to assess cross-reactivity.

Main Results:

MeGF activity was detected in both epidermal and dermal skin extracts.
MeGF demonstrated binding to heparin beads, characteristic of heparin-binding growth factors.
Antibodies against bFGF effectively neutralized MeGF activity, suggesting a strong structural or functional similarity.

Conclusions:

Normal human skin harbors a bFGF-like melanocyte growth factor (MeGF).
This MeGF likely plays a supportive role for melanocytes within the epidermis.
The findings suggest bFGF or a closely related molecule is a key regulator of melanocyte function in healthy skin.

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