Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

Abstract

Identification of Autoantibody to Melanocytes and Characterization of Different Autoantigens in Western Indian Vitiligo Patients

Sudha S Deo, Ameya R Bhagat and Rajoo N Shah

Vitiligo is a skin disorder that is characterized by selective melanocyte destruction and simultaneous appearance of de-pigmented macules. Vitiligo is caused by an autoimmune response that is usually mediated by the cytotoxic T cells against the melanocytes. Auto antibodies against pigment cells might result from a genetic predisposition to immune dysregulation at the T cell level. Vitiligo auto antibodies could also result from an immune response to melanocyte antigens. But an immune response to damaged pigment cells might further aggravate melanocyte loss. In vitro studies have shown that vitligo auto antibodies are able to destroy melanocytes by complement mediated damage and ADCC. And in vivo following the passive immunization of nude mice grafted with human skin. Hence the present study was conducted in our laboratory on 80 Vitiligo patients and 30 Healthy Normals for their anti-melanocyte antibody against melanocyte antigens using Electrochemical detection to understand the realcause of melanocyte destruction. This is the first study conducted in India.