Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Regulates the Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Melanocytes in a Differentiation-Stage-Specific Manner
September 2016
in “
Journal of Dermatological Science
”
TLDR PDGF-BB helps young melanocytes grow but stops mature ones from growing, and it makes melanocytes more specialized.
The study from September 1, 2016, investigated the effects of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB (PDGF-BB) on the proliferation and differentiation of human melanocytes. It was found that PDGF-BB stimulates the proliferation of melanoblasts while inhibiting the proliferation of mature melanocytes. In contrast, PDGF-BB enhances the differentiation of melanocytes, as indicated by increased dendritogenesis, melanogenesis, and the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1. These effects were observed at concentrations of PDGF-BB higher than 0.01 ng/ml. The study suggests that PDGF-BB acts in a stage-specific manner to regulate melanocyte functions and could be a key dermal factor in these processes. The experiments were performed in triplicate with different subcultures, but the total number of cells used was not specified.
