My long term objectives are to determine the molecular mechanisms which underlie melanocyte migration and localization in the epidermis. Melanocyte migration and localization in the epidermis are critical for establishing normal pigmentation during cutaneous development, and for repigmentation of skin after trauma. The experiments outlined in this proposal will test the hypotheses that migration of melanocytes is determined by specific receptor-ligand interactions and that the localization of melanocytes in the epidermis is determined, in part, by integrin receptors. We have shown that fetal and neonatal melanocytes express integrins and that integrin receptors mediate melanocyte attachment to fibronectin. We have also shown that fetal and neonatal melanocytes interact differently with fibronectin and express different amounts of integrins, suggesting that developmental regulation of melanocyte-matrix interactions exist. Finally, we have shown that TGF- beta, bFGF and stem cell factor (SCF) regulate integrin expression in melanocytes, and have shown that treatment of melanocytes with TGF-beta and SCF result in alterations in melanocyte affinity for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Because HGF, a melanocyte mitogen, has been shown to directly affect melanocyte migration, experiments to determine the mechanisms of this phenomenon will be performed.
Specific aim 1 will focus on defining the matrix proteins, receptors, and regulatory factors which control fetal and neonatal melanocyte migration. Melanocyte migration on extracellular matrix proteins will be evaluated by Boyden chamber assays and time-lapse videomicroscopy in a planar model; the role of melanocyte integrins and glycosaminoglycans and of TGF-beta, bFGF, SCF and HGF in melanocyte migration will then be determined. Once we have defined the parameters that control migration in this model, we will study melanocyte migration in collagen cells, which recapitulates the environment of migrating melanocytes in fetal life. In each experiment, fetal and neonatal melanocytes will be compared to identify developmental differences which may be important for regulating migration. We developed a skin equivalent (SE) model to study melanocyte-keratinocyte interactions in fetal and neonatal epidermis, and have shown that melanocyte number and position is determined by keratinocytes, and that these factor(s) are probably developmentally regulated. Integrins alpha2 and alpha3 have recently been shown to function as developmentally regulated cell-cell receptors for keratinocytes.
Specific aim 2 focuses on determining the role of these keratinocyte integrins in the localization and number of melanocytes in fetal and neonatal epidermis. Initial experiments will involve blocking studies with anti-integrin antibodies on keratinocyte-melanocyte co-cultures. To confirm and extend these observations, we will transfect keratinocytes with integrins alpha2 and alpha3 and determine the effect on melanocyte attachment to these keratinocytes. Finally, to evaluate the role of integrins on melanocyte number and position in the stratified epidermis, we will construct SEs with the transfected keratinocytes and determine the effect of increased keratinocyte integrin expression on melanocyte-keratinocyte interactions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08AR001882-05
Application #
2330574
Study Section
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Special Grants Review Committee (AMS)
Project Start
1993-02-01
Project End
1998-01-31
Budget Start
1997-02-01
Budget End
1998-01-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Dermatology
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
208469486
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
Scott, G A; Cassidy, L; Tran, H et al. (1999) Melanocytes adhere to and synthesize laminin-5 in vitro. Exp Dermatol 8:212-21
Scott, G A; Cassidy, L (1998) Rac1 mediates dendrite formation in response to melanocyte stimulating hormone and ultraviolet light in a murine melanoma model. J Invest Dermatol 111:243-50
Scott, G; Cassidy, L; Abdel-Malek, Z (1997) Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and endothelin-1 have opposing effects on melanocyte adhesion, migration, and pp125FAK phosphorylation. Exp Cell Res 237:19-28
Scott, G; Cassidy, L; Busacco, A (1997) Fibronectin suppresses apoptosis in normal human melanocytes through an integrin-dependent mechanism. J Invest Dermatol 108:147-53
Scott, G; Liang, H; Luthra, D (1996) Stem cell factor regulates the melanocyte cytoskeleton. Pigment Cell Res 9:134-41
Scott, G A; Liang, H; Cassidy, L L (1995) Developmental regulation of focal contact protein expression in human melanocytes. Pigment Cell Res 8:221-8
Scott, G; Liang, H (1995) pp125FAK in human melanocytes and melanoma: expression and phosphorylation. Exp Cell Res 219:197-203
Scott, G; Ewing, J; Ryan, D et al. (1994) Stem cell factor regulates human melanocyte-matrix interactions. Pigment Cell Res 7:44-51
Tang, J; Scott, G; Ryan, D H (1993) Subpopulations of bone marrow fibroblasts support VLA-4-mediated migration of B-cell precursors. Blood 82:3415-23