Stimulatory Effect of Prostaglandin E2 on the Configuration of Normal Human Melanocytes In Vitro

Leukotrienes and thromboxane B2 stimulate normal human melanocytes in vitro: Possible inducers of postinflammatory pigmentation.

“…The number of dendrites also increased which appeared more slender and extended than those of the controls. The stimulatory effect of various PGs such as PGE1, PGE2 and PGD2 on pigment cells in mammalians have already been reported in vitro and in vivo (Nordlund et al 1986;Tomita et al 1987). However, little is known about the effect of other arachidonate-derived TXs and LTs, except for the insignificant topical effect of TXB2 on the epidermal melanocytes of DBA/2 mouse as reported by Nordlund et al (1986).…”

“…Prostaglandin (PG) E1, PGE2 and PGD2, which are known to be important endogenous regulators of inflammatory diseases in the skin, were reported to stimulate the mammalian pigment cells in vitro (Tomita et al 1987) and in vivo (Nordlund et al . 1986) and their involvement has been suggested in the post-inflammatory skin pigmentation .…”

“…(Tomita et al 1987). Immunofluorescence staining of cultured melanocytes were carried out using rat monoclonal antibody against tyrosinase and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated second antibody directed to the monoclonal antibody (TACO Inc., Burlingame, CA, USA), and the intensity of fluorescence of FITC in each melanocyte was measured by microphotometer (P-1, Nikon, Tokyo) according to the method described previously (Tomita et al 1987). The cell perimeter, area as well as number of dendrites of Y. Tomita et al The elongation and increased number of dendrites of melanocytes are observed in the human epidermis when hyperpigmentation of the skin occurs after sun light exposure.…”

Stimulatory effect of histamine on normal human melanocytes in vitro.

“…Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that histamine may stimulate the melanocytes to induce hyperpigmentation in the skin lesions of urticaria pigmentosa. In this report we show for the first time that histamine has a direct stimulatory effect on normal human melanocytes in vitro.Human melanocytes from the roof of suction blisters were cultured as described previously (Tomita et al 1987). Immunofluorescent staining of cultured melanocytes was carried out using rat monoclonal antibody against tyrosinase and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated second antibody directed to the monoclonal antibody…”

“…Human melanocytes from the roof of suction blisters were cultured as described previously (Tomita et al 1987). Immunofluorescent staining of cultured melanocytes was carried out using rat monoclonal antibody against tyrosinase and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated second antibody directed to the monoclonal antibody…”