Regulation of melanogenesis by human uveal melanocytes in vitro.

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors regulating melanogenesis in cultured human uveal melanocytes. The effects of various substances on the melanin content, tyrosinase activity and growth of cultured uveal melanocytes were tested. 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (a protein kinase C activator) and various cAMP-elevating agents, including isobutylmethylxanthine, cholera, toxin, and dibutyryl-cAMP increased melanin content per culture, tyrosinase activity and cell numbers of uveal melanocytes in a dose dependent manner. Basic fibroblast growth factor (tyrosine kinase activator) stimulated growth but did not affect melanin content per culture of uveal melanocytes in vitro. These results indicate that cAMP-elevating agents and protein kinase C activator stimulate melanogenesis and growth of cultured uveal melanocytes. Tyrosine kinase activator stimulates growth but not melanogenesis of cultured uveal melanocytes.