European Journal of Dermatology
MENUSerum levels of functional T-regs in vitiligo: our experience and mini-review of the literature Volume 23, numéro 2, March-April 2013
Illustrations
- Mots-clés : autoimmune disease, CD4CD25 FOXP3, T-regs, vitiligo
- DOI : 10.1684/ejd.2013.1986
- Page(s) : 154-9
- Année de parution : 2013
Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary skin disorder due to the loss of cutaneous melanocytes or alteration in melanocyte function, affecting over 0.5% of the world population. The exact cause of melanocyte loss in non-segmental vitiligo is still debatable, but many observations have pointed to the main role of cellular immunity. Earlier evidence has shown that depigmenting vitiligo skin is accompanied by CD8+ T cytotoxic lymphocytes infiltrates at the dermal-epidermal junction. Dysregulation of Tregs may be one of the factors that can break tolerance to melanocyte self-antigens and contribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The objectives of the present study were to provide evidence of the presence of a functional defect and decrease of peripheral regulatory T cells in patients affected by vitiligo, supporting the hypothesis of their involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease, opening new possibilities to advance therapeutic approaches.