Endothelin-1 production by normal human cultured keratinocytes and its regulation.

The possibility that cultured keratinocytes produce endothelins were investigated. The results showed that cultured keratinocytes derived from normal human skin produce endothelin-1. Moreover, keratinocyte endothelin-1 production was completely inhibited by the presence of actinomycin D in the medium. As in the case of endothelial cells, recombinant interleukin-1beta was capable of promoting endothelin-1 production in keratinocytes, whereas herapin inhibited it. Thrombin also inhibited endothelin-1 production. These results indicate that the mechanism of endothelin-1 production in keratinocytes is slightly different from the mechanism in vascular endothelial cells.