Interleukin-6: A Possible Inflammatory Link Between Vitiligo and Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder of unknown aetiology, but it has been reported in association with other autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Vitiligo and T1D share a common theory of autoimmunity, but still an inflammatory link between them remains to be investigated. This study investigates the status and contribution of the inflammatory markers tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 in patients with vitiligo, T1D and vitiligo-associated T1D (Vt-T1D). The data showed that sera from Vt-T1D patients (n = 21) had higher levels of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β compared with vitiligo patients (n = 39), T1D patients (n = 37) or controls (n = 42). Interestingly, serum levels of IL-6 were found to be significantly higher in Vt-T1D patients compared with the levels of TNFα and IL-1β. These data also showed that IL-6 was high in Vt patients as compared to the levels of TNFa and L-1β, whereas in T1D patients, IL-6 and TNFα were almost the same but were higher than IL-1β. In conclusion, this is the first study to show an inflammatory link between vitiligo and T1D. The data conclude that IL-6 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Vt-T1D patients and is likely to gain favour as a therapeutic target in these patients.

Changes in sICAM-1 and GM-CSF levels in skin tissue fluid and expression of IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in blood of patients with vitiligo

“…Camara-Lemarroy and Salas-Alanis (11) have shown that the expression level of sICAM-1 in the blood of patients with progressive vitiligo is higher, and it is speculated that sICAM-1 can be used as one of the indexes of vitiligo activity. Farhan et al (12) have found that lymphocyte relocation can be seen in the skin lesion, and this relocation process is synchronized with the destruction of melanocytes. Further studies have shown that ICAM-1 can promote the adhesion process in vivo , leading to the destruction of melanocytes.…”

Comorbidities in vitiligo: comprehensive review

“…Furthermore, higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with vitiligo and concomitant type 1 diabetes compared to patients with only vitiligo and controls suggest a possible inflammatory link between the two diseases. 48 In a study of 6,516 vitiligo probands, Zhang et al 47 found significantly increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus in familial vitiligo probands (3.3%) but not in the total population of probands. Such data is strongly in favor of a genetically determined susceptibility to vitiligo and specific autoimmune diseases in familial vitiligo compared to sporadic vitiligo.…”

“…Type 1 diabetes (insulin‐dependent) is an autoimmune disease, and the coexistence of the two diseases lends support to the autoimmune theory of vitiligo and the possibility that vitiligo, too, is a T‐cell‐mediated disease. Furthermore, higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with vitiligo and concomitant type 1 diabetes compared to patients with only vitiligo and controls suggest a possible inflammatory link between the two diseases . In a study of 6,516 vitiligo probands, Zhang et al .…”

Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus in children

“…J. Farhan и соавт. [11] указали, что витилиго остается заболеванием неизвестной этиологии. Отмечена его связь с другими аутоиммунными заболеваниями.…”