Vitiligo: characterization of melanocytes in repigmented skin after punch grafting

Abstract

Our results suggest that the repigmentation observed in the areas between the grafts is due to the activation of the melanocytes located in the donor sites. These cells start to horizontally migrate towards the lesional skin thanks to successively the enlargement of intercellular spaces in relation to a decrease of E-cadherin reactivity and the up-modulation of pro-melanogenic mediators. Production and transfer of melanin in the surrounding keratinocytes and their persistence were assessed by the reactivity for MITF, c-kit, MART-1 and TRP1 but not for the pre-melanosome marker (HMB45).

Narrow Band Ultraviolet B Treatment for Human Vitiligo Is Associated with Proliferation, Migration, and Differentiation of Melanocyte Precursors

“…Two studies (Nishimura et al , 2002; Chou et al , 2013) utilized direct labeling of melanocytes (carrying the DCT-LacZ+ mutation) to demonstrate the melanocyte migration from the bulge to the epidermis induced by different stimuli (like forced Slf expression in epidermal keratinocytes carrying the Slf-K14 transgene, UVB exposure, or wounds created on the mouse skin). More recently, the results of an immunostaining study of human vitiligo skin (Kovacs et al , 2015) suggested the migratory capacity of melanocytes (horizontal migration to depigmented areas) in response to punch grafting followed by treatment with Khellin+UV light.…”

Optimising size and depth of punch grafts in autologous transplantation of vitiligo and piebaldism: a randomised controlled trial

“…The 1.5 mm deep grafts induced the largest pigmented surface area. A possible explanation could be that a larger circumference and thus a larger border promote horizontal migration of melanocytes and transfer of melanin to the surrounding keratinocytes (17). Moreover, fewer grafts were lost in the 1.5-mm regimens, probably because they attached better at the recipient site and were easier to transplant compared to 1.0 mm grafts.…”

“…Although a direct comparison has not been performed before, our results are in line with previous studies (3). Cobblestone formation is more often seen in large grafts (17,18). Good matching of grafts and recipient sites was suggested to reduce the risk of side effects like cobblestone formation (6,7).…”

Comparison between the efficacy of microneedling combined with 5‐fluorouracil vs microneedling with tacrolimus in the treatment of vitiligo

“…Histological evaluation was performed by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain and then stained with HMB45 to detect any pathological or immunohistochemical changes …”