Melanocyte reservoir in vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Dopa-negative, inactive melanocytes, present in the middle portion of the hair follicle, but also in hair bulbs, have been reported as a source of pigment cells, when repopulation of epidermal melanocytes occurs. A melanocyte reservoir in these anatomical sites has been suggested. Our objective was to investigate the ability of the lower third of the hair follicle (hair bulb) to repigment achromic skin in vitiligo.


METHODS
Scalp hair bulbs were transplanted within leukodermic areas in 10 patients with vitiligo.


RESULTS
Repigmentation around the grafts was suitable for evaluation in four cases. Dopa-positive (+) cells were seen in the epidermal basal cell layer of the repigmented areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Although these findings were observed only in a few patients, they suggest that melanocytes from the implanted lower third portion of the hair follicle (hair bulb) act as a reservoir in this anatomic location and are able to migrate and repigment achromic areas in vitiligo.
Arrunátegui
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario del Valle, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Arroyo
C
C
Garcia
L
L
Covelli
C
C
Escobar
C
C
Carrascal
E
E
Falabella
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006197:Hair / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine