A symbiotic concept of autoimmunity and tumour immunity: lessons from vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a skin disease in which melanocytes (MCs) are eradicated from lesional epidermis, resulting in disfiguring loss of pigment. MCs are destroyed by MC-reactive T cells, as well as other non-immune and immune components. Similarities exist between the autoimmunity observed in vitiligo and the tumour immunity observed in melanoma immuno-surveillance. An analysis of these mechanisms might lead to the development of new therapies for both vitiligo and melanoma.
Das
P K
PK
Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam University, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.k.das@amc.uva.nl
van den Wijngaard
R M
RM
Wankowicz-Kalinska
A
A
Le Poole
I C
IC
D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013559:Symbiosis; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000276:immunology*