Increased angiogenesis and mast cells in the centre compared to the periphery of vitiligo lesions

The larger number of T-lymphocytes in the periphery of vitiligo lesions and their association with angiogenesis are reported. The objective of this study was to investigate angiogenesis, VEGF and mast cell in vitiligo lesions. Specimens of 30 patients' biopsies, from lesional and perilesional nondepigmented skin were stained for mast cells, CD34 and VEGF. The evaluation was made by image analysis and the measured variables were statistically analyzed. A significantly increased number of CD34 and VEGF positive vessels and mast cells were detected in the centre of the lesion than in the periphery (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation of CD34, VEGF and mast cell number between the centre and the periphery of the lesions (r = 0.877, p < 0.0001; r = 0.946, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.863, p < 0.0001, respectively). The increased angiogenesis and mast cell numbers in the area where lymphocyte number is lower may be explained with the stepwise inflammatory process in vitiligo.