Abstract: Objective To explore the expression of high selective A receptor of endothelin-1 (ETA-R) in melanocytes from normal human beings. Methods Normal human melanocytes were cultured and mR-NA expression of ETA-R in melanocytes was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results The mRNA expression of ETA-R was seen in melanocytes. Conclusion This study combined with other experiments suggests that endothelin-1 may affect melanocytes by high selective ETA-R which may con-tribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Key words: Melanocytes, Endothelin-1, Receptors, endothelin