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FK506 promotes melanocyte and melanoblast growth and creates a favourable milieu for cell migration via keratinocytes: possible mechanisms of how tacrolimus ointment induces repigmentation in patients with vitiligo
Author(s) -
Lan CC.E.,
Chen GS.,
Chiou MH.,
Wu CS.,
Chang CH.,
Yu HS.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06739.x
Subject(s) - vitiligo , tacrolimus , melanocyte , depigmentation , medicine , cell growth , pathogenesis , matrix metalloproteinase , calcineurin , pigmentation disorder , dermatology , pharmacology , immunology , cancer research , biology , transplantation , biochemistry , melanoma
Summary Background Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by depigmentation of skin and hair. As the pathogenesis of this disease is still obscure, the treatment of vitiligo has generally been unsatisfactory and often disappointing. Topical tacrolimus (FK506) ointment has recently been added to the armamentarium against this pigmentary disorder. Despite its clinical efficacy, the underlying mechanisms of how topical tacrolimus induces repigmentation in vitiligo have rarely been investigated. As tacrolimus ointment is applied directly to the skin, its impact on keratinocytes (KCs) requires thorough investigation. Objectives To investigate the effects of FK506 on melanocyte (MC) and melanoblast (MB) growth via KCs. Methods Cultured MCs and MBs were treated with supernatant of KC cultures conditioned with various concentrations of FK506. The impact of supernatant on MCs and MBs was assessed in terms of its effect on MC/MB proliferation, melanin formation and cell migration. The activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9, known for their influence on cell migration, were evaluated. The concentrations of MC/MB growth factors in the KC supernatant were also determined. Results Results demonstrated that proliferation of both MCs and MBs was significantly enhanced by FK506‐treated KC supernatant. In addition, the concentration of stem cell factor in KC supernatant increased dose‐dependently with FK506 treatment. The supernatant from FK506‐treated KC culture showed a significant increase in MMP‐9 activity. Conclusions Our study provides in vitro evidence demonstrating that direct interaction between FK506 and KCs creates a favourable milieu for MC growth and migration. Furthermore, our findings provide a possible mechanism explaining how tacrolimus ointment induces repigmentation in patients with vitiligo.