Clinical features and histological findings are potential indicators of activity in lesions of common vitiligo

Lesional CD8+ T-Cell Number Predicts Surgical Outcomes of Melanocyte-Keratinocyte Transplantation Surgery for Vitiligo

The melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure (MKTP) treats stable and recalcitrant vitiligo. Despite careful selection of candidates based on clinical stability, the success of the procedure is unpredictable. The aim of our study was to define the immunological profile of stable vitiligo lesions undergoing MKTP and correlate them with clinical outcomes. We included 20 MKTP candidates with vitiligo and a patient with piebaldism as a control. Prior to MKTP, T-cell subsets and chemokines in the recipient skin were measured by flow cytometry and ELISA. During MKTP, melanocytes in the donor skin were quantified by flow cytometry. After MKTP, patients were followed for 12 months and repigmentation was assessed clinically and by ImageJ analysis of clinical photographs. Baseline immunologic biomarkers, duration of clinical stability, and transplanted melanocyte number were correlated to postsurgical repigmentation scores. CD8+ T cells were elevated in 43% of the clinically stable vitiligo lesions. CD8+ T-cell number negatively correlated with postsurgical repigmentation scores (r = -0.635, P = 0.002). Duration of clinical stability, skin chemokines, and transplanted melanocyte number did not influence postsurgical repigmentation. This study demonstrates that CD8+ T-cell number correlates negatively with success of postsurgical repigmentation and can be a biomarker to identify ideal surgical candidates.

Abnormal nuclear expression of aquaporin-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients: A novel immunohistochemical finding

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by a complex etiopathogenesis. Keratinocyte apoptosis may play a role in vitiligo pathogenesis. Aquaporin-3 (AQP-3) is an aqua-glyceroporin that controls keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.

AIM

To assess the immunohistochemical expression of AQP-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients compared to healthy control skin.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients with generalized non-segmental vitiligo and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients, as well as normal skin of control subjects, were biopsied. The immunohistochemical expression of AQP3 in the epidermis was examined.

RESULTS

Compared to control skin, both lesional and perilesional skin showed a significant reduction in the intensity of membranous staining of AQP-3 (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, the membrano-cytoplasmic pattern of AQP-3 staining was significantly detected in 80% of lesions and 85% of perilesional biopsies, while it was absent in control skin (p < 0.001). Additionally, nuclear AQP-3 expression was significantly detected in 35% of lesions and 55% of perilesional biopsies, while it was not detected in control skin (p = 0.012, p < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was detected between lesional and perilesional skin.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first immunohistochemical research to show a significant abnormal nuclear expression of AQP-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients. This abnormality may reflect impaired functions of AQP-3, leading to keratinocyte apoptosis with subsequent melanocyte death and development of vitiligo.

Different vitiligo characteristics as predictors of increased risk of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune and metabolic disturbances have been reported in association with vitiligo, highlighting possible systemic associations that should be considered.

AIMS

To assess the possible association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) as well as insulin resistance (IR) with vitiligo in different age groups.

METHODS

This case-control study included 142 patients with vitiligo aging ≥ 6 years and 142 age- and sex-matched controls. Participants were assessed for MetS using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria in addition to IR via homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). The study was registered at Clinical Trials.gov, Identifier: NCT03622320, on August 9, 2018.

RESULTS

As per the IDF criteria, patients with vitiligo showed significantly more frequent association with high fasting plasma glucose levels, high blood pressure readings, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and MetS than controls (p = 0.020, p = 0.034, p = 0.014, p < 0.001, and p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, patients with vitiligo have significantly higher levels of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (p ≤ 0.001). Results obtained from patients with vitiligo and controls with coexistent MetS/IR demonstrated vitiligo as a risk factor for both MetS and IR. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression highlighted that older age was the significant independent predictor for MetS and IR.

CONCLUSION

Patients with vitiligo showed a significantly higher incidence of MetS than controls. Vitiligo per se can be considered a risk factor for MetS and IR. Therefore, regular follow-up and early metabolic derangement diagnoses are mandatory.

Differentiating active from stable vitiligo: the role of dermoscopic findings and their relation to CXCL-10

BACKGROUND

Distinguishing vitiligo activity/stability status is pivotal in the management of patients with vitiligo. CXCL10 is a chemokine released in the tissues and sera of patients with vitiligo and an indicator of disease activity.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the role of dermoscopy in detecting active and stable vitiligo by comparing the dermoscopic signs in vitiligo with Vitiligo Disease Activity Score (VIDA) score, clinical activity, and CXCL10 activity.

METHODS

Ninety-seven patients with vitiligo were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Vitiligo activity/stability was assessed using VIDA scores, clinical examination, dermoscopy, and serum CXCL10 levels measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Dermoscopic scores were calculated using BPLeFoSK score.

RESULTS

The dermoscopic score was concordant with the VIDA score in 83.5% of patients (n = 81), clinical assessment in 97.9% (n = 95), and serum CXCL10 level in 70.1% (n = 68). Dermoscopic signs of ill-defined border, satellite lesions, and micro-Koebner and starburst appearance were more common in active vitiligo, while a well-defined border was more common in stable lesions.

CONCLUSION

Dermoscopic examination is a practical, reliable, noninvasive, semi-objective tool in the assessment of vitiligo activity/stability that helps reach an informed decision on the disease status to choose the appropriate therapeutic modality.

Male genital vitiligo

Vitiligo is a polygenetic multifactorial disease leading to melanocytic loss in skin and sometimes in hair. Genital areas may be involved and represent a specific therapeutic challenge. Surprisingly, data on male genital vitiligo remain scarce. This review aims to collate current knowledge on male genital vitiligo and to discuss the risks and benefits of the various therapeutic approaches. Male genital vitiligo is relatively frequent and often induces marked impairment of quality of life, with a specific impact on sex life. Prompt recognition of activity remains mandatory to halt disease progression, as repigmentation remains difficult to achieve in most cases. Thanks to progress in understanding of the pathophysiology of vitiligo, new therapeutic approaches are under development. Topical ruxolitinib, a JAK pathway inhibitor, is currently the product in the most advanced stage of development, with a very encouraging repigmentation rate on the face, although specific efficacy in genital area remains to be assessed. The next generation of treatments, such as topical WNT agonists, could be of great interest in genital vitiligo as they will not require combination with UV therapy and they may be able to enhance the differentiation and proliferation of melanocyte stem cells in this difficult-to-treat area.

Home-based narrowband UVB, topical corticosteroid or combination for children and adults with vitiligo: HI-Light Vitiligo three-arm RCT

BACKGROUND

Systematic reviews suggest that narrowband ultraviolet B light combined with treatments such as topical corticosteroids may be more effective than monotherapy for vitiligo.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of topical corticosteroid monotherapy compared with (1) hand-held narrowband ultraviolet B light monotherapy and (2) hand-held narrowband ultraviolet B light/topical corticosteroid combination treatment for localised vitiligo.

DESIGN

Pragmatic, three-arm, randomised controlled trial with 9 months of treatment and a 12-month follow-up.

SETTING

Sixteen UK hospitals - participants were recruited from primary and secondary care and the community.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults and children (aged ≥ 5 years) with active non-segmental vitiligo affecting ≤ 10% of their body area.

INTERVENTIONS

Topical corticosteroids [mometasone furoate 0.1% (Elocon®, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) plus dummy narrowband ultraviolet B light]; narrowband ultraviolet B light (narrowband ultraviolet B light plus placebo topical corticosteroids); or combination (topical corticosteroids plus narrowband ultraviolet B light). Topical corticosteroids were applied once daily on alternate weeks and narrowband ultraviolet B light was administered every other day in escalating doses, with a dose adjustment for erythema. All treatments were home based.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was self-assessed treatment success for a chosen target patch after 9 months of treatment ('a lot less noticeable' or 'no longer noticeable' on the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale). Secondary outcomes included blinded assessment of primary outcome and percentage repigmentation, onset and maintenance of treatment response, quality of life, side effects, treatment burden and cost-effectiveness (cost per additional successful treatment).

RESULTS

In total, 517 participants were randomised (adults, n = 398; and children, n =  119; 52% male; 57% paler skin types I-III, 43% darker skin types IV-VI). At the end of 9 months of treatment, 370 (72%) participants provided primary outcome data. The median percentage of narrowband ultraviolet B light treatment-days (actual/allocated) was 81% for topical corticosteroids, 77% for narrowband ultraviolet B light and 74% for combination groups; and for ointment was 79% for topical corticosteroids, 83% for narrowband ultraviolet B light and 77% for combination. Target patch location was head and neck (31%), hands and feet (32%), and rest of the body (37%). Target patch treatment 'success' was 20 out of 119 (17%) for topical corticosteroids, 27 out of 123 (22%) for narrowband ultraviolet B light and 34 out of 128 (27%) for combination. Combination treatment was superior to topical corticosteroids (adjusted risk difference 10.9%, 95% confidence interval 1.0% to 20.9%; p = 0.032; number needed to treat = 10). Narrowband ultraviolet B light was not superior to topical corticosteroids (adjusted risk difference 5.2%, 95% confidence interval -4.4% to 14.9%; p = 0.290; number needed to treat = 19). The secondary outcomes supported the primary analysis. Quality of life did not differ between the groups. Participants who adhered to the interventions for > 75% of the expected treatment protocol were more likely to achieve treatment success. Over 40% of participants had lost treatment response after 1 year with no treatment. Grade 3 or 4 erythema was experienced by 62 participants (12%) (three of whom were using the dummy) and transient skin thinning by 13 participants (2.5%) (two of whom were using the placebo). We observed no serious adverse treatment effects. For combination treatment compared with topical corticosteroids, the unadjusted incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £2328.56 (adjusted £1932) per additional successful treatment (from an NHS perspective).

LIMITATIONS

Relatively high loss to follow-up limits the interpretation of the trial findings, especially during the post-intervention follow-up phase.

CONCLUSION

Hand-held narrowband ultraviolet B light plus topical corticosteroid combination treatment is superior to topical corticosteroids alone for treatment of localised vitiligo. Combination treatment was relatively safe and well tolerated, but was effective in around one-quarter of participants only. Whether or not combination treatment is cost-effective depends on how much decision-makers are willing to pay for the benefits observed.

FUTURE WORK

Development and testing of new vitiligo treatments with a greater treatment response and longer-lasting effects are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN17160087.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 64. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Urinary metabolomic investigations in vitiligo patients

Urinary metabolomics is a useful non-invasive tool for large-scale screening of disease-related metabolites. However, no comprehensive urinary metabolomic analysis of vitiligo is presently available. To investigate the urine metabolic pattern of vitiligo patients, we conducted a combined cross-sectional and prospective self-control cohort study and an untargeted urinary metabolomic analysis. In the cross-sectional study, 295 vitiligo patients and 192 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were enrolled, and 71 differential metabolites between two groups were identified. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, biopterin metabolism, vitamin B9 (folate) metabolism, selenoamino acid metabolism, and methionine and cysteine metabolism showed significant enrichment in vitiligo patients compared with the status in healthy controls. In the self-control cohort, 46 active vitiligo patients were recruited to analyse the urinary metabolic signatures after treatment. All of these patients were asked to undertake follow-up visits every 2 months three times after first consulting and the disease stage was evaluated compared with that at the last visit. Folate metabolism, linoleate metabolism, leukotriene metabolism, alkaloid biosynthesis, and tyrosine metabolism were predicted to be involved in vitiligo activity. Our study is the first attempt to reveal urinary metabolic signatures of vitiligo patients and provides new insights into the metabolic mechanisms of vitiligo.

Expression of immune checkpoints in active nonsegmental vitiligo: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a depigmentary skin disfigurement resulting from destruction of melanocytes caused by a possible malfunctioning immunity. This destruction could be linked to an aberrant T-cell-mediated immune response. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) are immune checkpoints capable of downregulating T-cell immune functions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the pattern of expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in active vitiligo skin.

METHODS

Thirty nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) patients had been included in this pilot study. Marginal, lesional, and nonlesional skin biopsies were obtained. PD-1 and CTLA-4 immunohistochemistry expression in the mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates were evaluated using digital images.

RESULTS

The marginal and lesional inflammatory infiltrates were significantly abundant when compared to nonlesional ones. The marginal infiltrates were significantly abundant when compared to the lesional ones. PD-1 and CTLA-4 were significantly expressed in the marginal and lesional infiltrates when compared to nonlesional skin. Moreover, the marginal expression of PD-1 was significantly higher than the lesional expression. However, no similar significant difference in CTLA-4 expression was found between the marginal and lesional infiltrates. Significant positive correlations were found between the expressions of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in marginal and lesional infiltrates.

CONCLUSION

Programmed death-1 and CTLA-4 are expressed within the inflammatory infiltrate of active NSV. Further studies are required to confirm their significance in the development or limitation of the disease.

Comparative analysis of the body surface area calculation method used in vitiligo extent score vs the hand unit method used in vitiligo area severity index

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo Area and Severity Index (VASI) is standing on the top of the cited and implemented scoring tools for vitiligo. However, an easily applicable and time-saving tool has been a need.

AIM

This cross-sectional study aimed at comparing the body surface area (BSA) calculation method used in Vitiligo Extent Score (VES) in comparison with the hand unit method used in VASI and to consider the implementation of VES as a user-friendly tool by doctors as applied to observed clinical patterns of NSV in our population.

METHODS

For each patient with NSV, vitiligo was assessed using both VES and VASI as well as vitiligo disease extent by hand units.

RESULTS

Vitiligo extent score and VASI scores showed a strong significant correlation. Both scores were found reliable in spite of the presence of unrepresented areas in the VES with tendency of the values for the BSA by the VES to be lower than that by hand units.

CONCLUSION

In comparison with VASI, VES has proven to be a clear, user-friendly score for vitiligo assessment. However, special concern is to be given for required modification for pediatric population. A slight modification may be required regarding the pediatric population.

NKG2D Defines a Subset of Skin Effector Memory CD8 T Cells with Proinflammatory Functions in Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that results from the loss of melanocytes, associated with skin infiltration of CD8⁺ effector memory T cells with a Tc1 skewed immune response. NKG2D is an activating receptor found on immune cells, in particular natural killer and activated CD8⁺ T cells, that are able to produce a high amount of IFN-γ. Here we found that NKG2D expression was increased in vitiligo skin CD8⁺ effector memory T cells and was promoted by IL-15. Phenotypic and functional analyses showed that NKG2D⁺ CD8⁺ skin effector memory T cells displayed an activated phenotype and produced elevated levels of both IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. Additional experiments revealed that vitiligo skin dendritic cells expressed the NKG2D ligands MICA-MICB, and in vitro experiments showed that these ligands could be induced on dendritic cells by IFN-α. Cultures of IFN-α-stimulated dendritic cells with skin NKG2D⁺ CD8⁺ T cells potentiated the production of type 1 cytokines, which was next inhibited by blocking the NKG2D/MICA-MICB interaction. These data show that NKG2D is a potential marker of pathogenic skin CD8⁺ effector memory T cells during vitiligo. Therefore, targeting NKG2D could be an attractive strategy in vitiligo, a disease for which there is a strong need of innovative treatments.

Clinical visible signs of disease activity in vitiligo: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Vitiligo is an unpredictable depigmenting disorder for which a static method to assess disease activity is lacking. Presence of certain skin manifestations may be indicative of disease activity. Here, we evaluated the current evidence for an association between clinical signs and reported disease activity in vitiligo. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed based on a search in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Literature reporting skin manifestations and disease activity was analysed based on descriptive analyses and, if applicable, odd ratios. Forty-six observational studies were selected and analysed, including 28 case reports. Reported clinical signs in relation to active vitiligo were as follows: Koebner's phenomenon, confetti-like depigmentations, tri- and hypochromic lesions (including poorly defined borders), inflammatory borders/areas, itch and leukotrichia. Based on this search, strong evidence was found for Koebner's phenomenon. Poorly defined borders and confetti lesions are potential markers, although more data are needed to confirm this. Evidence for other skin manifestations was inconclusive, whereas case reports on inflammatory borders were indicative of active disease. Limitations included the lack of randomized controlled trials, large-scale prospective studies and heterogeneity due to inconsistent definitions. This systematic review urges the vitiligo community to come forward with consensus-based definitions as well as a reliable scoring system to assess these clinical signs and to design optimal trials to investigate their true predictive value.

Cross-Sectional Study of Dermatoscopic Findings in Relation to Activity in Vitiligo: BPLeFoSK Criteria for Stability

Background:

Stability in vitiligo is an important concept in guiding patient management and a vital prerequisite before vitiligo surgery. Disease activity of vitiligo based on patient’s history is imprecise. It is practically impossible to perform biopsy from all lesions of vitiligo to ascertain stability. Dermatoscopy can be used to examine all clinical lesions in a patient of vitiligo. There is a need to validate many reported dermatoscopic findings for universal use.

Aims:

To analyze the significance of dermatoscopic findings in the activity of vitiligo and to devise a cutoff score for stable vitiligo.

Materials and Methods:

Dermatoscopic examination was performed in 85 patients clinically diagnosed with vitiligo. Six dermatoscopic parameters, namely, border, pigment network, perilesional hyperpigmentation, perifollicular pigmentation, satellite lesions, and micro-Koebner phenomenon (acronym: BPLeFoSK) were evaluated against Wood’s lamp findings as standard. Chi-square test was used to test association between categorical variables. Cutoff values for stability for these six parameters were plotted in receiver operating curve.

Results:

A total of 131 vitiligo lesions were analyzed with dermatoscopy. Absence of satellite lesions and absence of micro-Koebner phenomenon were the most sensitive parameters (96.7% and 100%, respectively). Sharp border and absent or reticulate pigment network within the vitiligo patch were the most specific findings (100% and 91.5%, respectively).

Conclusion:

A cutoff score of more than or equal to 1.5 using the “BPLeFoSK criteria” indicates stability in the vitiligo lesion.

Vitiligo as a skin memory disease: The need for early intervention with immunomodulating agents and a maintenance therapy to target resident memory T cells

The understanding of the immune mechanisms of vitiligo has profoundly improved over the past years. The recent discovery of a new population of antigen-experienced memory T cells called resident memory T cells (T_RM ) has changed the concept of immune surveillance in peripheral tissue as skin, and the presence of melanocyte-specific T_RM is clearly demonstrated in vitiligo, a disease that could be now seen such as a memory skin disease. This review summarizes the recent knowledge on skin T_RM and their role in vitiligo. Future management or therapies for this disease will have the goal to block their migration/differentiation, to dampen their activation and/or their accumulation in the vitiligo skin to prevent flare-up or to promote repigmentation.

Autologous non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation in the treatment of vitiligo: patient selection and perspectives

Autologous non-cultured melanocyte–keratinocyte transplantation procedure (MKTP) is one of the simplest cellular grafting techniques. Various modifications were done over the years to make the technique easier and more economical which led to its great popularity among dermatologists. Proper patient selection and good technical skills are essential for achieving success with this technique. In this review, different patient-related and procedure-related factors that affect the outcome are discussed. This review may guide dermatologists to select suitable candidates, and explains what to expect in each case and indicates different techniques which can be used. The expected complications and stability of acquired pigmentation, which are an essential part of the pretreatment patient counseling, are also discussed.

Medical and Maintenance Treatments for Vitiligo

Medical treatments alone, or in combination with phototherapy, are key approaches for treating nonsegmental vitiligo and, to a lesser extent, segmental vitiligo. The treatments are useful for halting disease progression and have been proven effective for inducing repigmentation and decreasing risk of relapses. Although the treatments have side effects and limitations, vitiligo often induces a marked decrease in quality of life and in most cases the risk:benefit ratio is in favor of an active approach. Systemic and topical agents targeting the pathways involved in loss of melanocytes and in differentiation of melanocyte stem cells should provide more effective approaches in the near future.

Biomarkers of disease activity in vitiligo: A systematic review

The pathophysiology of vitiligo is complex although recent research has discovered several markers which are linked to vitiligo and associated with disease activity. Besides providing insights into the driving mechanisms of vitiligo, these findings could reveal potential biomarkers. Activity markers can be used to monitor disease activity in clinical trials and may also be useful in daily practice. The aim of this systematic review was to document which factors have been associated with vitiligo activity in skin and blood. A second goal was to determine how well these factors are validated in terms of sensitivity and specificity as biomarkers to determine vitiligo activity. Both in skin (n=43) as in blood (n=66) an adequate number of studies fulfilled the predefined inclusion criteria. These studies used diverse methods and investigated a broad range of plausible biomarkers. Unfortunately, sensitivity and specificity analyses were scarce. In skin, simple histopathology with or without supplemental CD4 and CD8 stainings can still be considered as the gold standard, although more recently chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) 9 and NLRP1 have demonstrated a good and possibly even better association with progressive disease. Regarding circulating biomarkers, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-17, IFN-γ, TGF-β), autoantibodies, oxidative stress markers, immune cells (Tregs), soluble CDs (sCD25, sCD27) and chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL10) are still competing. However, the two latter may be preferable as both chemokines and soluble CDs are easy to measure and the available studies display promising results. A large multicenter study could make more definitive statements regarding their sensitivity and specificity.

S100B Is a Potential Disease Activity Marker in Nonsegmental Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterized by progressive depigmentation of the skin. S100B is a damage-associated molecular pattern protein expressed in melanocytes that has been proposed as a marker of melanocyte cytotoxicity. Although the use of S100B as a biomarker in melanoma is well established, to our knowledge its association with vitiligo activity has not yet been investigated. Here, we show that S100B serum levels were significantly increased in patients with active nonsegmental vitiligo and strongly correlated with the affected body surface area. Prospective follow-up showed a predictive value of serum S100B levels on disease progression. In vitro experiments using repeated freeze-thaw procedures showed an intracellular up-regulation of S100B in normal and vitiligo melanocytes before an extensive release in the environment. This phenomenon may explain the increased S100B serum values in the active phase of vitiligo. In a monobenzone-induced vitiligo mouse model we could show the potential of S100B inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in vitiligo. In conclusion, this report shows the possible use of S100B as a biomarker for disease activity in vitiligo. Our data suggest that this damage-associated molecular pattern protein could play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and may be a potential new target for treatment.

Clinicopathologic Analysis of Stable and Unstable Vitiligo: A Study of 66 Cases

Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder characterized by milky-white macules and absence of functioning melanocytes. The cornerstone of its management is the correct categorization of a case into its 2 broad types-stable and unstable vitiligo. This distinction is at present based mainly on clinical criteria because the histopathological features are not fully established. This study was thus undertaken to examine histopathological features of vitiligo and to come up with a reliable and systematic approach toward this diagnostic challenge. All patients presenting with clinical features of vitiligo at our institution were included in the study. A 3-mm punch biopsy was taken from 3 sites-lesional, perilesional, and normal skin. Histopathological examination was primarily focused on evaluating 5 histopathological variables-spongiosis, epidermal lymphocytes, basal cell vacuolation, dermal lymphocytes, and melanophages. A total number of 66 patients were included in the study. There were 30 patients in stable and 36 in unstable vitiligo groups. It was observed that all 5 histopathological pattens were associated with unstable vitiligo. All the cases were then scored using a scoring system devised by the authors and the scores obtained were correlated with clinical categorization. It was observed that while there is a definite overlap in histological findings in the 2 groups, adoption of a systematic reporting system brings more consistency and objectivity in the diagnosis. The authors have recommended diagnoses that should be reported for the various scores. This in turn will help us to more reliably and confidently manage these patients.

Epithelial expression of cytokeratins 15 and 19 in vitiligo

BACKGROUND

Cytokeratins (CK) belong to the family of intermediate filament proteins, and among them specific epithelial keratins are considered markers for stem cells activation.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the expression of CK15 and CK19 as possible stem cell markers in vitiligo during phototherapy.

METHODS

The study was conducted on vitiligo patients receiving narrow-band ultraviolet therapy. Immunohistochemical staining for CK15 and CK19 was carried out, and clinical follow-up continued for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Of 28 patients, CK15 expression was demonstrated in 17 cases (61%) while CK19 expression was demonstrated in 11 cases (39%). Cells expressing positive staining were demonstrated in follicular and interfollicular epithelium. Expression was clearly demonstrated in patients younger than 20 years old, with shorter disease duration, with disease stability, and with normally pigmented hairs. Expression of cytokeratins was significantly correlated to improvement of vitiligo lesions.

CONCLUSION

CK15 and CK19 are expressed in vitiligo during UV repigmentation in the follicular and interfollicular epithelium. This expression of cytokeratins was significantly correlated to improvement and can be considered valuable tool to monitor stem cells stimulation for the sake of the repigmentation process in vitiligo.

Tumour necrosis factor-α inhibition can stabilize disease in progressive vitiligo

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, a proinflammatory cytokine central to many autoimmune diseases, has been implicated in the depigmentation process in vitiligo. We review its role in vitiligo by exploring its pro- and anti-inflammatory properties and examine the effects of blocking its actions with TNF-α antagonist therapeutics in reports available in the literature. We found that TNF-α inhibition halts disease progression in patients with progressive vitiligo but that, paradoxically, treatment can be associated with de novo vitiligo development in some patients when used for other autoimmune conditions, particularly when using adalimumab and infliximab. These studies reinforce the importance of stating appropriate outcomes measures, as most pilot trials propose to measure repigmentation, whereas halting depigmentation is commonly overlooked as a measure of success. We conclude that TNF-α inhibition has proven useful for patients with progressive vitiligo, where TNF-α inhibition is able to quash cytotoxic T-cell-mediated melanocyte destruction. However, a lingering concern for initiating de novo disease will likely prevent more widespread application of TNF inhibitors to treat vitiligo.

A Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial on a Sabgh Formulation for Patients With Vitiligo

BACKGROUND

The cosmetic problem that vitiligo produces affects patients psychologically. Many patients with vitiligo are suggested to cover their white skin patches with cosmetic products. There are formulations in traditional Iranian pharmacy to color these white skin patches. In this study, one of these formulations was compared with a cosmetic formulation.

METHODS

Two groups of patients were selected. One group used a marketed formulation and other group used a traditional Iranian Pharmacy formulation. The quality of life of the patients was compared based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Both interventions were associated with statistically improved Dermatology Life Quality Index scores over the 8-week intervention (P < .05), although the difference between the 2 was not statistically significant (P = .436).

CONCLUSION

Traditional Iranian Pharmacy formulation is effective in increasing the quality of life in vitiligo patients.

Hypochromic vitiligo: delineation of a new entity

BACKGROUND

Hypochromic vitiligo is a rare entity that has been reported only twice under the term 'vitiligo minor', with an absence of clear delineation.

OBJECTIVES

To delineate hypochromic vitiligo through a case series of patients with typical bilateral hypopigmented lesions affecting the face and trunk.

METHODS

This is a retrospective multicentric evaluation study conducted in eight departments of dermatology in France, Belgium, Senegal and Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS

Twenty-four cases of hypochromic vitiligo were identified. Fourteen were men and 10 women. The mean age at diagnosis was 35·4 years (range 8-66). Strikingly, all patients were dark skinned, with skin types V and VI. The pattern of distribution was highly similar in most of the patients (18 of 24), with involvement of the face and neck area predominating on seborrhoeic areas associated with multiple isolated hypopigmented macules involving predominantly the scalp. The retrospective nature of this study is its main limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypochromic vitiligo is not yet part of a conventional classification. The disease seems to be limited to individuals with dark skin types. Hypopigmented seborrhoeic face and neck involvement associated with hypopigmented macules of the trunk and scalp is the hallmark of the disease.

Possible patterns of epidermal melanocyte disappearance in nonsegmental vitiligo: a clinicopathological study

BACKGROUND

The depigmentation of vitiligo results in a progressive and chronic melanocyte loss with rare melanocytes occasionally remaining in the epidermis or the hair follicle reservoirs. Destruction by immune infiltrates in close contact with melanocytes within microvesicles and/or detachment of melanocytes followed by their transepidermal elimination should be regarded as possible mechanisms of chronic loss of pigment cells.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the frequency of these two histological findings and to establish a direct correlation with clinical features.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study that took place over 1 year. Each patient received a standardized evaluation that included daylight and Wood's lamp examinations, pictures, biopsies performed on the marginal area, and histological and immunohistological studies. A second examination to assess the activity of the lesions was performed 1 year after inclusion in the study. Clinical changes associated with microvesicles were compared with those associated with detached melanocytes from the basal layer.

RESULTS

This study included 50 patients. The histological findings were classified as inflammatory with isolated microvesicles (29 cases), noninflammatory with only detached melanocytes from the basal layer (12 cases) and a combination of coexisting microvesicles and detached melanocytes (six cases). Correlations were obtained between the histological findings and clinical features (aspect and activity of the lesions) and E-cadherin expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest the existence of two patterns of melanocyte disappearance in nonsegmental vitiligo.

A mouse model of vitiligo induced by monobenzone

The paucity of vitiligo animal models limits the understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis and the development of therapies for the skin disorder. In this study, we developed a new mouse model of vitiligo by topically applying the skin-depigmenting agent monobenzone on mice. We demonstrated that monobenzone-induced skin depigmentation on the non-exposed sites and that the severity of lesions depended on drug dosage. The result of the histological examination of the depigmented skin indicated loss of epidermal melanocytes and perilesional accumulation of CD8⁺ T cells. Furthermore, the monobenzone-induced depigmentation of the Rag1 gene knockout did not appear on the non-exposed sites, supporting the involvement of infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells in melanocyte destruction. Resemblance in histological characteristics and pathogenesis between monobenzone-induced depigmentation and active human vitiligo suggests good potential of our mouse model for use in vitiligo research.

Segmental and generalized vitiligo: both forms demonstrate inflammatory histopathological features and clinical mosaicism

BACKGROUND

Segmental vitiligo (SV) and generalized vitiligo (GV) are perceived to evolve by different mechanisms, the former with unspecified neural mechanisms and the latter by melanocyte specific autoimmune mechanisms. However, the two diverse mechanisms are difficult to reconcile in cases of "mixed vitiligo". To test the possibility of a common pathogenesis, we reviewed clinical and histopathological features of SV and GV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

As part of an ongoing histopathological study on vitiligo and vitiligo like lesions, over a 10 year period from 2002 to 2011, biopsies were taken routinely from evolving or recently evolved lesions. 50 cases of SV with quasi-dermatomal distribution and 154 cases of GV were identified and the clinical and histopathological features were compared.

RESULTS

Mild clinical inflammation was recorded in 33 of 154 GV cases but, none among 50 SV had such features. In addition to bilateral symmetrical involvement, mirror image lesions with unusual segmentation were observed in nine cases of GV. SV with a few bilateral lesions (4) and GV with quasi-dermatomal lesions (3), i.e., mixed vitiligo, were included in their corresponding groups for analytical purposes. Focal lichenoid inflammation of varying degrees around epidermal/adnexal melanocytes was identified as a common feature in evolving lesions of both SV (78%) and GV (70%).

CONCLUSIONS

SV and GV demonstrated a similar inflammatory histopathological spectrum. "Segmentation/mosaicism", identified for the first time in GV is another unifying factor. Cutaneous mosaicism harboring fragile melanocyte populations, which are susceptible to external as well as auto-inflammatory mechanisms, is an attractive hypothesis to pursue in the causation of vitiligo.

Role of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in determining stability in vitiligo: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) reproducible imaging technique has already been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of other skin diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To define RCM features of vitiligo on different clinical stages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 125 patients with a clinical diagnosis of vitiligo were included in this study. After informed consent, lesional skins of those vitiligo patients were characterized by using RCM. Five patients with inflammatory cell infiltration observed at the edge of skin lesions and another 5 patients without inflammatory cell infiltration were selected. Biopsies were performed at same sites of the RCM examination areas for histological and immune-histological analysis.

RESULTS

In the active stage of vitiligo, the RCM examination revealed that the bright dermal papillary rings presented at the dermoepidermal junction level in normal skin lost their integrity or totally disappeared, border between vitiligo lesion and normal skin became unclear, and highly refractile cells that referred to infiltrated inflammatory cells could be seen within the papillary dermis at the edge of the lesions. In the stable stage of vitiligo, the RCM showed a complete loss of melanin in lesional skin and a clear border between lesional and normal skin.

CONCLUSION

A simple clinical examination with RCM may reliably and efficiently allow evaluation of the stability status of vitiligo lesions.

Latent class analysis of a series of 717 patients with vitiligo allows the identification of two clinical subtypes

Non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) is an enigmatic disease with various clinical courses. To empirically identify underlying subtypes of NSV, we performed latent class analysis (LCA) of 717 consecutive patients with NSV seen between 2006 and 2012 and were analyzed. Median age was 32 yrs (14-45), median age at NSV onset was 18 yrs (8-32), and median NSV duration 5 yrs (0.75-78.5). A two-class model showed the best fit. Of the 717 patients, 280 (39%) belonged to LC1 and 437 (61%) to LC2. LC1 patients had high probabilities for early disease onset (<12 yrs), halo nevi, family history of premature hair greying, Koebner phenomenon, previous episodes of repigmentation, and family history of vitiligo. By contrast, LC2 patients were characterized by a late disease onset (after or at the age of 12 yrs, median age of 30 yrs) and acrofacial localization without any lesions on trunk or limbs. These two LCA classes (LC1, 'prepubertal onset'; LC2, 'post-pubertal onset') may help refining results from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and allow a more accurate genotype-phenotype correlation and help defining more directed treatment protocols.

Stability in Vitiligo: Is there a Perfect Way to Predict it?

Stability is a hard-to-define concept in the setting of vitiligo, but is nonetheless extremely crucial to the planning of treatment regimens and also in prognosticating for the patient. There are several ways to judge stability in vitiligo, which include clinical features and, recently, many biochemical, cytological and ultrastructural correlates of the same. These recent advances help in not only in prognosticating individual patients but also in elucidating some of the mechanisms for the pathogenesis of vitiligo, including melanocytorrhagy and oxidative damage to melanocytes.