Background:
@EN The main function of melanocyte is known to protect the skin from hazardous sunlight. But, some investigators have claimed lately that melanocytes are also related to the immunologic role in the epidermis because these cells produce IL-1
activity
and IL-1βconvertase activity, in vitro.
@ES Objective:
@EN Our purposes were to investigate the effects of rIFN-γon the proliferation of melanocytes, melanin content, and the expression of HLA-DR antigen on melanocytes after a rIFN-γexposure.
@ES Methods:
@EN The number of melanocytes, the melanin content, and the expression of HLA-DR antigen were evaluated on cultured human melanocytes according to a time sequence and various concentrations of rIFN-γ.
@ES Results:
@EN Antiproliferative activity on melanocytes was dependent on the exposure time and the concentration of rIFN-γ. According to the exposure time and the concentration of rIFN-γ, melanogenic acivity was inhibitd or stimulated. Normal melanocytes
didn't
express HLA-DR antigen, but when normal melanocytes were exposed to rIFN-γ, the expression of HLA-DR antigen increased in a time-and concentration-dependent fashion. After the removal of rIFN - γfrom the culture media, the expression of HLA-DR
antigen
on melanocytes also disappeared.
@ES Conclusion:
@EN In our study, melanocytes seem to be related to the immunologic role in the epidermis because these cells expressed HLA-DR antigen after rIFN-γexposure and we think that study could help to investigate between melanocytes and immunologic
mechanisms
in various inflammatory skin diseases. (Kor J Dermatol 1993 ; 31(1) : 359-369)
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