Role of autophagy-related gene 7 in the skin of vitiligo patients

Abstract

Objectives To perform a systematic review to summarize the role of autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) and autophagy in vitiligo. Background Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune pigmentary disorder due to loss of functional melanocytes. Colocalization studies revealed that the autophagy-related gene 7 has a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Materials and methods Medline databases (Google Scholar, Medscape, ScienceDirect) and all materials published in English language available on the internet from 2007 to 2018. The search was performed on March 2018. All the studies were independently assessed for inclusion. They were included if they fulfilled the following criteria: published in English language, published in peer-reviewed journals, focused on the role of ATG7 in vitiligo. The initial search presented 38 articles which studied the role of ATG7 in vitiligo. If the studies did not fulfill the inclusion criteria, they were excluded such as studies on ATG7 in systemic diseases or skin diseases other than vitiligo, report without peer review, not within the national research program, letters/comments/editorials/news. Comparisons were made by a structured review with the results tabulated. Results In total, four potentially relevant publications were included; there was an association between vitiligo and autophagy marker ATG7. This association was due to premature senescence of melanocytes due to the accumulation of products of oxidative damage leading to pigment dilution. Conclusion Autophagy marker-related gene 7 has a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.