Track

Basic Science

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The intricate cross-talk involving melanocytes, epidermal Langerhans cells (ELCs), and dermal dendritic cells (DDCs), has been hypothesized as a contributing factor in vitiligo. However, there is a definite paucity of literature regarding the characterization of the number and distribution of ELCs and DDCs in vitiligo patients.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study over 18 months was conducted wherein punch biopsies from the lesional and peri-lesional skin of 34 vitiligo patients were taken. Vitiligo histological score was performed and CD 1a and CD 68 immunostaining was done on sections from both the biopsies to highlight ELCs and DDCs respectively. The number and distribution of ELCs and DDCs were determined and compared between the lesional and peri-lesional skin.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION: The median number of ELCs in the lesional skin was significantly higher (9/100 keratinocytes) as compared to peri-lesional skin (5/100 keratinocytes), p-value of 0.02. The median number of DDCs in the lesional skin was significantly higher (47 / 5 hpf) as compared to peri-lesional skin (39 / 5 hpf), p-value of 0.04. No difference in the distribution of ELCs and DDCs was found between lesional and peri-lesional skin. Positive correlations were seen between the vitiligo histological scores and the number of ELCs (R² = 0.37) and DDCs (R²=0.06) in the lesional skin.

CONCLUSION: This study underscores the crucial role of ELCs and DDCs in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, larger in-depth multi-institutional studies may be needed for the generation of comprehensive data sets and validation of the observed findings.