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Dendritic cells: ultrastructural and immunophenotypical changes upon nb-UVB in vitiligo skin
Francesca Prignano1, F Ricceri, B Bianchi
1Division of Clinical, Preventive and Oncology Dermatology, Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, University of Florence, Italy. francesca.prignano@unifi.it
Archives of Dermatological Research
|December 22, 2010
Summary
Dendritic cells, especially Langerhans cells, play a key role in non-segmental vitiligo pathogenesis. Narrowband ultraviolet B (nb-UVB) therapy effectively reduces these cells, aiding treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The role of dendritic cells in vitiligo pathogenesis remains unclear.
- Contradictory findings exist regarding quantitative variations of dendritic cells in vitiligo.
- No data are available on the immunophenotypical distribution of dendritic cells in vitiligo-affected skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence, distribution, and immunophenotypical markers of dendritic cells in vitiligo skin.
- To evaluate the effects of narrowband ultraviolet B (nb-UVB) therapy on dendritic cells in vitiligo.
- To analyze dendritic cells in lesional, perilesional, and non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis of skin biopsies from 12 non-segmental vitiligo patients.
- Analysis performed on lesional, perilesional, and non-lesional skin.
- Patients were treated with nb-UVB therapy.
Main Results:
- Both quantitative and qualitative modifications of Langerhans cells were observed.
- nb-UVB therapy reduced the number of Langerhans cells.
- nb-UVB therapy led to the redistribution of major dendritic cell subsets.
Conclusions:
- Dendritic cells, particularly Langerhans cells, are significant in non-segmental vitiligo.
- These findings highlight the importance of dendritic cells in vitiligo pathogenesis.
- Understanding dendritic cell roles can improve therapeutic strategies for vitiligo.
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