[Detection of serum autoantibodies to melanocyte and correlation between melanoma antigen recognized by T-cells and vitiligo in children].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the serum levels of melanocyte antibodies and explore the relation between melanoma antigen recognized by T-cells (MART-1) and vitiligo in children.


METHODS
The serum samples were collected from children with vitiligo to test the autoantibodies, and divided into low- and high-titer group according to the test results. Melanocytes were incubated with the serum samples, and the changes of melanocyte surface antigen were evaluated using specific MART-1 antibody.


RESULTS
The serum melanocyte antibody levels in children with vitiligo were significantly higher than those in normal subjects. The expression level of melanocyte surface antigen MART-1 increased obviously after incubation of the melanocyte with high antibody titer serum samples, and MART-1 was found to specifically bind to specific MART-1 antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
Melanocytes MART-1 may correlate to the autoimmune mechanism in children with vitiligo.
Chen
Jin-ping
JP
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou 510120, China. jin2003820@21cn.com
Li
Hai-pian
HP
Jin
Sheng-hua
SH
Zhang
Jin-tao
JT
Li
Jun
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058965:MART-1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D058965:MART-1 Antigen