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PUVA‐induced repigmentation of vitiligo: a histochemical (split‐DOPA) and ultrastructural study
Author(s) -
ORTONNE J.P.,
MACDONALD D.M.,
MICOUDZ A.,
THIVOLET J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1979.tb15285.x
Subject(s) - vitiligo , ultrastructure , melanosome , dermatology , epidermis (zoology) , pigmentation disorder , medicine , pathology , biology , anatomy , melanin , genetics
SUMMARY Repigmentation induced by oral photochemotherapy (8‐MOP+UV‐A) in four patients with vitiligo has been studied by histochemical and ultrastructural techniques. Hypertrophic melanocytes were demonstrated both in the middle and deep portions of the hair follicles in the centre of islands of repigmentation and also in the epidermis of the expanding repigmenting border. Mitosis of melanocytes was absent in these areas. Ultrastructural study showed that the melanocytes of repigmented areas were hyperactive. The melanosomes were larger than those of surrounding healthy skin, although the mode of packaging was unaltered. These observations suggest that melanocytes repigmenting vitiliginous skin under the influence of oral photochemotherapy are derived from a melanocytic reservoir localized in the hair follicles.