Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:26

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Psychodermatologic Patient Education for Atopic Dermatitis Management: A Scoping Review and Evidence Map.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery·2026
Same author

Long-Acting Injectable (Depot) Antipsychotics in Delusional Parasitosis: A Systematic Review of Adherence and Treatment Outcomes.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery·2026
Same author

Improving Sun-Safe Practices for Elementary School Children.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery·2026
Same author

Successful Treatment of Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus With Roflumilast 0.3% Cream: A Report of Two Cases.

Cureus·2026
Same author

Just the facts: diagnosis and management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis.

CJEM·2026
Same author

Sun Safety Policies in Canadian Elementary Schools: A Comprehensive Scoping Review and Jurisdictional Scan of Canadian Provincial Government Policies.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation
03:20

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation

Published on: August 19, 2025

The pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Neel Malhotra1, Marlene Dytoc

  • 1Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
|May 16, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Vitiligo pathogenesis remains unclear, but five key theories—genetics, neural, autoimmune, reactive oxygen species, and melanocytorrhagy—likely contribute. Understanding these vitiligo causes is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Vitiligo is a prevalent pigmentary disorder with elusive pathogenesis.
  • Despite global research, the exact mechanisms causing vitiligo remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and present the five major theories explaining the causes of vitiligo.
  • To consolidate current understanding of this disfiguring and psychologically impactful condition.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive review of existing literature on vitiligo pathogenesis.
  • Discussion of five overarching etiological theories: genetic predisposition, neural theory, autoimmune hypothesis, reactive oxygen species model, and melanocytorrhagy hypothesis.

Main Results:

More Related Videos

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes
09:38

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

Published on: August 27, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation
03:20

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation

Published on: August 19, 2025

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes
09:38

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

Published on: August 27, 2021

  • Exploration of the genetic basis of vitiligo susceptibility.
  • Examination of the neural, autoimmune, and oxidative stress pathways implicated in melanocyte loss.
  • Presentation of the recent melanocytorrhagy hypothesis as a potential unifying theory.

    • Conclusions:

    • The exact pathogenesis of vitiligo is multifactorial, involving contributions from all discussed theories.
    • A thorough understanding of these diverse theories is essential for advancing therapeutic strategies for vitiligo.