Ultrastructural Studies of Vitiligo, Vogt-Koyanagi Syndrome, and Incontinentia Pigmenti Achromians

Morohashi, Masaaki; Hashimoto, Ken; Goodman, Thomas F.; Newton, Dennis E.; Rist, Toivo

doi:10.1001/archderm.1977.01640060051004

Cited by 104 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Since it is now accepted that epidermal melanocytes are not present in endstage vitiliginous lesions [18], the immunolabelled basal cells were most likely keratinocytes. In addition, these nerve endings have also been demonstrated to connect to normal and abnormal (degenerated) melanocytes [11,20,21]. Furthermore, in the present study, NGFr-IR nerve fibres appeared to connect to the epidermal basal cells, and it may be noted that electron microscopy has revealed such an attachment to be associated with the plasma membrane of certain keratinocytes and Merkel cells [19].…”

Section: Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide and Neuropeptide Tyrosinesupporting

confidence: 70%

The occurrence of cutaneous nerve endings and neuropeptides in vitiligo vulgaris: a case-control study

et al. 1996

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Pioneering studies both in humans and animals have demonstrated an association between the peripheral nervous system and epidermal melanocyte destruction. The presence of certain neuropeptides and neuronal structural markers in peripheral nerve fibres was investigated in involved and uninvolved vitiligo skin and compared with normal healthy skin. A group of 18 vitiligo vulgaris patients and matched healthy volunteers participated in the investigation. The indirect immunofluorescence technique was employed. There was a tendency for a reduction in the number and intensity of low affinity (p75) nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactive (NGFr-IR) basal keratinocytes in involved vitiliginous skin (P < 0.06) compared with control skin, while the number of NGFr-IR nerve fibres was significantly increased (P < 0.01). The number of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-IR nerve fibres in the epidermis and papillary dermis was dramatically increased in involved skin as compared with control skin (P < 0.01) and with uninvolved skin (P < 0.05). No clear difference could be found in the distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY)-IR nerve fibres. A different structural appearance of the peripheral nervous system as well as a changed balance of neuropeptides in vitiliginous skin point to a critical role of the nervous system in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

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Section: Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide and Neuropeptide Tyrosinesupporting

confidence: 70%

The occurrence of cutaneous nerve endings and neuropeptides in vitiligo vulgaris: a case-control study

et al. 1996

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“…254 Fibrillar masses similar to colloid bodies may also be present in the upper dermis and in the basal layer. 263 There may be increased thickness of the basement membrane of Schwann cells and features of both axonal degeneration and nerve regeneration. 265 Numerous nerve endings may be seen in close contact with the basal lamina.…”

Section: Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…345 There are isolated reports of aggregation of melanosomes, vacuolization of melanocytes, 263 and an increase in the number of Langerhans cells in the epidermis. 345 There are isolated reports of aggregation of melanosomes, vacuolization of melanocytes, 263 and an increase in the number of Langerhans cells in the epidermis.…”

Section: Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Disorders of pigmentation

Weedon

2010

Weedon's Skin Pathology

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“…While some melanocytes are observed in the epidermis of early, lightly pigmented lesions, none are detected by either light or electron microscopy in depigmented lesions (Arrunategui et al, 1994;Galadari et al, 1993;Le Poole et al, 1993;Moellmann et al, 1982;Morohashi et al, 1977;Ortonne et al, 1979Ortonne et al, , 1980. Although pigmented skin in vitiligo appears normal on routine histology, observation of thinner sections reveals hydropic changes in keratinocytes, the presence of extracellular debris, and melanocytes containing autophagosomes (Moellmann et al, 1982).…”

Section: Histologymentioning

confidence: 99%