Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 in Vitiligo
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- Category: Vol. 77, December 2009
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Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 in Vitiligo, NAHLA HUNTER, DINA KADRY, MOHAMED EL-KOMY and AZZA ALY
Abstract
Background: Vitiligo is characterized by selective destruc-tion of melanocytes. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-b 1) is the main product of regulatory T cells (Tregs) which are deficient in vitiligo. Thus, lower levels of serum TGF-b1 are expected in vitiligo. However, TGF-b1 is a keratinocyte-derived cytokine with inhibitory effect on melanocyte activity. Thus it may be expected to be higher in the sera of patients with vitiligo.
Objectives: To evaluate the serum level of TGF-b1 in vitiligo and its correlation with disease parameters, in order to determine its actual role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
Patients and Methods: Serum levels of 24 patients with vitiligo and 23 controls were collected for quantification of TGF-b1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.
Results: There was no significant difference between mean serum TGF-b1 in patients and controls. However, mean serum TGF-b1 was higher in patients with active disease than in patients with inactive disease and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.024). No correlation was detected between mean serum levels of TGF-b1 and other disease parameters.
Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that serum TGF-b1 does not seem to have direct role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, this does not exclude its cutaneously produced effect on production of vitiligenous lesions.