Investigation of epidermal melanocytes and dermal melanophages in the vitiligo

Abstract

Objective To observe the changes of epidermal melanocytes and dermal melanoph- ages in vitiligo and investigate its significance. Methods Thirty-eight cases of vitiligo were divided into progressive stage group, stable stage group in nonsegmental vitiligo patients, and progressive stage group, stable stage group in segmental vitiligo patients. Normal controls of 10 cases were selected from the plas- tic surgery deparment in the same period. Melan-A positive cells and dermal melanophages were deter- mined by immunohistochemical staining and HE staining. Results Compared with normal controls, Me- lan-A positive cells counts were apparently lower and melanophages counts were higher in each vitiligo groups than those of normal controls, the differences were significant（ P 〈 0.01 ）. No significant differ- ences were found among vitiligo groups （ P 〉 0. 05 ）. Melanophages counts of each vitiligo groups in pro- gressive stage were significantly higher than those of stable stage, the differences were significant （P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusions Apparently decreased counts of epidermal melanocytes and increased counts of dermal melanophages are found in vitiligo lesions. The lost of melanocytes from dermal pathway may par- ticipate in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Key words: Vitiligo ; Melanocytes ; Melan-A ; Melanophages