In vitro assessment of 'T' lymphocyte functioning in vitiligo. Support for autoimmune hypothesis concerning the disease.
Ten patients with vitiligo in the active state of the disease and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were selected for certain immunological markers. A significantly high production of leukocyte migration inhibition factor was observed in these patients when compared with controls. Levels of immunoglobulin G were found to be significantly elevated. Eighty percent of the cases showed elevated levels of circulating immune complexes. Our investigation supports the autoimmune hypothesis for the disease, showing an increased release of LMIF with a subsequent activation of B-cells which might have led to the observed hypergammaglobulinaemia and elevated levels of circulating immune complexes in these patients.
Biochemistry Division, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, J.J. Hospital Compound, Byculla, Bombay, India.
Taher-Uz-Zaman
S
S
Begum
M A
MA
Waheed
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000276:immunology*
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors