Serum and tissue transforming growth factor b1 expression in vitiligo

Background Vitiligo is believed to result from progressive autoimmune-mediated loss of melanocytes. Although a number of studies suggest the involvement of several autoimmune influencing cytokines in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, these reports are still limited and contradictory. Objective To examine the degree of expression of transforming growth factor b1 (TGF-b1) in both the serum and the tissue of vitiligo patients and their relation to disease development, progression, and severity. Patients and methods In this case control study, 20 vitiligo patients and 10 age-matched and sex-matched controls were recruited. TGF-b1 levels were detected in serum and lesional as well as nonlesional specimens of cases and controls. The relations of TGF-b1 levels with disease parameters including disease extent, type, and vitiligo disease activity score were analyzed statistically. Results Serum and tissue levels of TGF-b1 were significantly lower in patients than the controls (P = 0.001 and Po0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between the TGF-b1 levels between the lesional and the nonlesional skin of patients (P = 0.634). Conclusion Downregulation of serum and tissue TGF-b1 may result in the loss of peripheral tolerance mediated by T regulatory cells and should be further investigated as a prerequisite for disease initiation in susceptible individuals.