Antibodies to normal human melanocytes in vitiligo.
Most patients with active vitiligo (82% of 61) have antibodies to antigens of normal human melanocytes that can be detected by specific immunoprecipitation of radioiodinated, detergent-soluble, melanocyte macromolecules. Such antibodies were present in only 12% of patients with melanoma and in none of 35 patients with nonpigmentary skin diseases. The antibodies were directed to a common antigen(s) on melanocytes that was not present on normal fibroblasts or keratinocytes. These observations suggest that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease mediated by antibodies to melanocyte-associated antigen(s).
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D002178:Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies