Abstract:

Objective To study the effects of bFGF on the proliferation of cultured human melanocytes, and to seek a quick method for in vitro culture of human melanocytes. Methods Melanocytes were isolated from human foreskin, and divided into two parts to be cultured with or without the presence of bFGF （0.3 μg/L）. Second-passage melanocytes were identified with immunochemical stain. The growth of melanocytes was observed every 3 days for 12 days. Third-passage melanocytes were treated with various concentrations （0.3 - 2.1 μg/L） of bFGF for 72 hours followed by the detection of proliferation of and trosinase activity in melanocytes. Results Human melanocytes were obtained from primary culture in medium containing certain concentrations of bFGF, which were identified with immunohistochemical stain. The morphology of cultured melanocytes varied with growth stage of cells. The bFGF-treated melanocytes appeared to grow more rapidly than untreated melanocytes. Further more, a significant increase was observed in the proliferation rate of melanocytes treated with bFGF of 0.3 and 0.6 μg/L （P < 0.05 or 0.01） and tyrosinase activity in melanocytes treated with bFGF of 1.5 and 1.8 μg/L （P < 0.05 or 0.01） in comparison with the untreated melanocytes. Conclusions The addition of certain concentrations of bFGF to defined medium can benefit the primary culture of melanocytes and make it possible to get large quantities of purified melanocytes with high viability in short periods. Certain concentrations of bFGF can up-regulate the proliferation of and tyrosinase activity in melanocytes.