Basic fibroblast growth factor from human keratinocytes is a natural mitogen for melanocytes.
To survive and proliferate in pure culture, human melanocytes require basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and cAMP. Without these factors, even in the presence of serum, the cells die. Melanocytes cultured in the presence of keratinocytes, however, survive for weeks without added bFGF and cAMP. We show here that the growth factor for melanocytes produced by human keratinocytes is bFGF because its activity can be abolished by neutralizing antibodies to bFGF and by a bFGF synthetic peptide that inhibits the binding of the growth factor to its receptor. The melanocyte mitogen in keratinocytes is cell associated and increases after irradiation with ultraviolet B. Northern blots reveal bFGF gene transcripts in keratinocytes but not melanocytes. These studies demonstrate that bFGF elaborated by keratinocytes in vitro sustains melanocyte growth and survival, and they suggest that keratinocyte-derived bFGF is the natural growth factor for normal human melanocytes in vivo.
Halaban
R
R
Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.
Langdon
R
R
Birchall
N
N
Cuono
C
C
Baird
A
A
Scott
G
G
Moellmann
G
G
McGuire
J
J
D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000528:radiation effects; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D007633:Keratins