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CXCR 7 mediates SDF 1‐induced melanocyte migration
Author(s) -
Lee Eunkyung,
Han Jiyeon,
Kim Kwangmi,
Choi Hyunjung,
Cho EunGyung,
Lee Tae Ryong
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/pcmr.12024
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , melanocyte , phosphorylation , cell migration , mapk/erk pathway , neural crest , biology , stromal cell , signal transduction , immunology , cancer research , cell , embryo , melanoma , genetics
Summary Melanoblasts are derived from the neural crest and migrate to the dermal/epidermal border of skin and hair bulges. Although melanoblast migration during embryogenesis has been well investigated, there are only a few reports regarding the migration of mature melanocytes. Here, we demonstrate that a chemokine, stromal‐derived factor‐1 ( SDF 1, also known as CXCL 12), and one of its receptor CXCR 7 regulate normal human epidermal melanocyte ( NHEM ) migration. We found that SDF 1 induces the directional migration of NHEM s. Interestingly, although both CXCR 4 and CXCR 7 are expressed in NHEM s, blockade of CXCR 4 using a CXCR 4‐specific neutralizing antibody did not exert any influence on the SDF 1‐induced migration of NHEM s, whereas blockade of CXCR 7 using a CXCR 7‐specific neutralizing antibody did influence migration. Furthermore, SDF 1‐induced NHEM s migration exhibited the early hallmark events of CXCR 7 signaling associated with MAP kinase activation. It is known that the phosphorylation of ERK through CXCR 7 signaling is mediated by β‐arrestins. The treatment of NHEM s with SDF 1 resulted in the phosphorylation of ERK in a β‐arrestin 2‐dependent manner. These results suggest that melanocytes may have a unique mechanism of migration via SDF 1/ CXCR 7 signaling that is different from that of other cell types.