Endothelin-1 Combined With Extracellular Matrix Proteins Promotes the Adhesion and Chemotaxis of Amelanotic Melanocytes From Human Hair Follicles In Vitro

The study investigated the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the adhesion and chemotaxis of amelanotic melanocytes (AMMCs) from human hair follicles, particularly in the context of repigmentation in vitiliginous skin. It was found that ET-1 increased AMMC adhesion on fibronectin (FN) in a dose-dependent manner, with minor increases on laminin (LN) and collagen IV (CIV). ET-1 also induced chemotaxis of AMMCs on CIV, LN, and FN, with the greatest effect on CIV. The study observed that concentrations of ET-1 ≥10 nM led to an increase in stress fibers beneath the cell membrane, although no effects were noted on tubulin. These findings suggested that ET-1's effects on AMMC adhesion and chemotaxis might be due to modulation and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.