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Involvement of non‐melanocytic skin cells in vitiligo
Author(s) -
Bastonini Emanuela,
Bellei Barbara,
Filoni Angela,
Kovacs Daniela,
Iacovelli Paolo,
Picardo Mauro
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.13868
Subject(s) - vitiligo , melanocyte , extracellular matrix , disease , dermatology , medicine , human skin , pigmentation disorder , biology , immunology , pathology , melanoma , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , genetics
Despite melanocytes are the key players in vitiligo, a continuous cross‐talk between epidermal and dermal cells may strictly affect their functionality, in both lesional skin and non‐lesional skin. Focusing on this interplay, we have reviewed existing literature supporting evidence on cellular and functional alterations of surrounding epidermal keratinocytes, extracellular matrix ( ECM ) proteins and fibroblasts in the underlying dermal compartment that may contribute to melanocyte disappearance in vitiligo. We have also examined some clinical and therapeutic aspects of the disease to sustain the non‐exclusive involvement of melanocytes within vitiligo. As a result, a different and more complex scenario has appeared that may enable to provide better understanding about origins and progress of vitiligo and that should be considered in the evaluation of new treatment approaches.