Combination of epidermal keratinocyte–melanocyte cells suspension and microneedling: Safe surgical approach in vitiligo

Abstract

Introduction Vitiligo is a skin disease that is associated with impaired skin immune systems and pigment degradation in skin melanocyte cells. Despite the significant impact of the disease on the quality of life of patients, treatment of the disease using an effective method such as the transplantation of uncultivated melanocytes was considered by researchers around the world. The goal of this research was to use microneedling to transplant epidermal keratinocyte–melanocyte cells suspension for the treatment of vitiligo patients. Methods In this study, 15 male and female vitiligo in face region patients aged 18–45 years were studied. In this study, melanocyte–keratinocyte cells suspension was sprayed. Patients underwent microneedling treatment after spraying the cells. Before and after transplantation, patients were biometrically examined, and the quantity of pigmentation and changes in the transplanted region were documented. Statistical software was used to examine the results. Results The color difference between the lesion area and normal skin in one, two, and six months after treatment with cell suspension was significantly reduced compared with before treatment (by 48.95%). Moreover, the amount of melanin was significantly increased 6 months after treatment compared with before treatment (129.8 ± 4.16 vs. 195.2 ± 3.54, p = 0.000). A significant decrease in skin brightness in the skin of the lesion area was observed compared with normal skin, 6 months after treatment compared with before treatment (43.7 ± 1.44 vs. 27.9 ± 1.24, p = 0.000). Conclusion Epidermal keratinocyte–melanocyte cells suspension in combination with microneedling could be considered as an effective treatment of vitiligo.

Dermabrasion Versus Microneedling in Transplantation of Autologous Noncultured Melanocyte–Keratinocyte Cell Suspension in Patients With Vitiligo

“…In a recent study by Nilforoushzadeh and colleagues, 23 who performed MKCST to treat vitiligo, patients underwent microneedling treatment after spraying the cells. The color alteration between the lesion area and normal skin was significantly reduced after the procedure.…”

Transversely Sectioned Mini-Punch Grafting: A Novel Technique for Effective Treatment of Hairline Vitiligo

“… 4 Vitiligo is associated with pigment degradation in skin melanocyte cells. 5 The autologously transplanted dermis-derived cells contribute to the synthesis of melanin. 6 Tissue grafting techniques and cellular grafting techniques have been used.…”

Report of novel treatment of segmental vitiligo using combined microneedling and topical ruxolitinib

“…Enhanced drug delivery through microneedling has also sparked recent interest in its combined use with various topical treatments such as calcineurin inhibitors, 2–4 trichloroacetic acid, 3 5‐fluorouracil, 3 steroids, 4 vitamin D analogues, 4 latanoprost 5 and melanocyte‐keratinocyte suspensions 6 . While topical ruxolitinib is the only FDA‐approved drug for the treatment of vitiligo, there are no studies that evaluate its efficacy in conjunction with microneedling 7 .…”