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Increased level of cathelicidin (LL‐37) in vitiligo: Possible pathway independent from vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism
Author(s) -
Atazadeh Fatemeh,
Fazeli Zahra,
Vahidnezhad Hassan,
Namazi Nastaran,
Younespour Shima,
Youssefian Leila,
Abdollahimajd Fahimeh,
Uitto Jouni
Publication year - 2020
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.14200
Subject(s) - foki , calcitriol receptor , vitiligo , taqi , vitamin d and neurology , cathelicidin , immunology , pathogenesis , medicine , genotype , biology , endocrinology , polymorphism (computer science) , immune system , genetics , innate immune system , gene
Vitiligo is a multifactorial skin disease with established role of genetics and autoimmunity in its pathogenesis. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms have been suggested to correlate with risk of vitiligo in some ethnic populations. On the other hand, cathelicidin, one of the innate immune system components, has a role in development of some chronic skin diseases and VDR regulates the expression of cathelicidin. We aimed to determine the plasma level of cathelicidin and its association with the VDR gene polymorphisms as well as plasma vitamin D level in patients with vitiligo. Ninety vitiligo patients and 90 non‐vitiligo controls participated in this study. Blood levels of 25(OH) vitamin D and cathelicidin were determined with ELISA. Genotyping for VDR polymorphisms ( ApaI , TaqI , FokI and BsmI ) was done with RFLP‐PCR method. Mean blood level of cathelicidin was significantly higher in vitiligo patients as compared to controls ( P < .0001). Mean blood level of vitamin D was significantly lower in patients than controls ( P = .01). Statistically significant differences were not observed for both genotype and allele frequencies of BsmI , ApaI and TaqI polymorphisms. There was a borderline increased risk of vitiligo in over‐dominant model of FokI polymorphism with OR = 1.8 and P = .051. Our findings was suggestive of the potential role of cathelicidin in the pathogenesis of vitiligo; however, future evaluations are needed to determine its precise mechanism. Genetic study of VDR gene polymorphism was suggestive of increased risk of vitiligo in association with a FokI polymorphism in Iranian population.