Oral psoralen with UV-A therapy releases circulating growth factor(s) that stimulates cell proliferation.
BACKGROUND
The mechanism by which oral psoralen with UV-A (PUVA) stimulates melanocyte proliferation in vitiligo is unknown. This study was conducted to examine the hypothesis that it does so by stimulating the release of growth factors that stimulate melanocyte proliferation.


METHODS
We examined the effect of serum samples obtained from patients with vitiligo before and following 2 and 4 months of PUVA therapy, and from non-PUVA-treated patients with vitiligo and normal individuals on the growth of melanocytes in vitro.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic in referral center.


METHODS
The study was conducted on serum samples obtained from 18 patients with vitiligo, 8 of whom were treated with PUVA, and from 10 normal individuals.


METHODS
Treatment with PUVA.


METHODS
Ability of serum samples to stimulate the growth of melanocytes in culture.


RESULTS
Proliferation of melanocytes in serum collected after 4 months of PUVA therapy was on the average 3-fold greater than that in serum samples collected from the same patients prior to therapy with PUVA. This circulating growth factor was absent in serum samples of non-PUVA-treated patients with vitiligo and normal individuals. The effect was nonspecific, as it also stimulated the proliferation of fibroblasts.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that PUVA treatment results in the release into the circulation of growth factor(s) that can stimulate a proliferation of melanocytes and of other cells. This could account for the repigmentation of vitiligo by PUVA treatment. As the growth factor(s) also stimulated the growth of other cells, it could also explain the thickening of the epidermis that occurs following exposure to UV light.
Abdel-Naser
M B
MB
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA.
Hann
S K
SK
Bystryn
J C
JC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy
D006133:Growth Substances; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008730:Methoxsalen