title: Physiopathology and genetics of vitiligo.
abstract: Generalized vitiligo is an acquired disorder in which white patches of skin and overlying hair result from autoimmune loss of melanocytes from involved areas. The autoimmune pathogenesis of vitiligo has become a rapidly evolving field of research. A humoral immune reaction has been implicated through the detection of circulating antibodies. However, recent research focuses on a melanocyte-specific cytotoxic-T-cell immune reaction in the melanocyte destruction. Several candidate genes have been proposed for vitiligo susceptibility. They include genes important for melanin biosynthesis, response to oxidative stress and/or regulation of autoimmunity. A recent genome-wide scan performed on families with numerous members presenting vitiligo has clearly revealed linkage of susceptibility loci.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Archet 2 Hospital, B.P. 3079, 06202 Nice Cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Passeron
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ortonne
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*