The mRNA expression profile of cytokines connected to the regulation of melanocyte functioning in vitiligo skin biopsy samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Abstract

The expression pattern of several genes associated with different processes in melanocytes, including melanogenesis, is changed in vitiligo patients. We evaluated possible changes in the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 family cytokines (IL26, IL-28A, IL28B, IL29), their receptor subunits (IL20RB, IL22RA2, IL28RA), and genes potentially related to functioning of melanocytes (MDM1, IFNA1, IFNB1, IFNG, and ICAM1) in the case of vitiligo. We observed mRNA expression in vitiligo patients' and controls' skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA expression pattern of IL20RB, IL22RA2, IL-28A, IL28B, IL28RA, MDM1, IFNA1, IFNB1, IFNG, and ICAM1 changed in vitiligo skin and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) compared with controls. All of these genes may potentially be involved in vitiligo pathogenesis through controlling or participating in different pathways that regulate survival/apoptosis, development and migration of melanocytes, and melanogenesis. This study presents additional support for our previous findings about the importance of IL-10 family cytokines in vitiligo, in particular the possible involvement of IL-22. Further studies should be considered.