Premium
Abnormal expression of MHC class II and ICAM‐1 by melanocytes in vitiligo
Author(s) -
Al Badri Adnan M. T.,
Foulis Alan K.,
Todd Pamela M.,
Garioch Jennifer J.,
Gudgeon Janet E.,
Stewart D. Graeme,
Gracie J. Alastair,
Goudie Robert B.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711690205
Subject(s) - vitiligo , icam 1 , mhc class i , major histocompatibility complex , immunology , medicine , biology , immune system , cell adhesion molecule
The relationship between damage to cutaneous melanocytes and antimelanocyte autoimmunity in vitiligo is unclear. We have demonstrated abnormal expression of MHC class II molecules by perilesional melanocytes in 13/21 patients with vitiligo and a six‐fold increase in the number expressing the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM‐1. These molecules have important roles in normal antigen presentation and activation of helper T lymphocytes, and their expression by melanocytes may contribute to the abnormal immune response in vitiligo. MHC class II is not expressed by melanocytes in psoriasis and is unlikely to be induced in vitiligo by cytokines released from activated non‐melanocyte‐specific T lymphocytes.