title: Effect of narrow band-ultraviolet B on CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of vitiligo patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is widely believed that an imbalance between activated CD8(+) T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) exists in patients with vitiligo. Although there is evidence that narrow band ultraviolet (NB-UVB) irradiation can induce Tregs' number and activity, but up to our knowledge, none of the published studies involved the possible effect of NB-UVB on Tregs in vitiligo.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of NB-UVB on circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (FoxP3(+) Tregs) in vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective analytic study included 20 patients with active non-segmental vitiligo and 20 healthy controls. The patients were exposed to NB-UVB therapy three times per week for 30 sessions. Blood sampling before and after NB-UVB phototherapy was done to evaluate circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) Tregs and Foxp3(+) Tregs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CD4(+) CD25(high) Tregs% and FoxP3(+) Tregs% were significantly higher in vitiligo patients compared with controls. NB-UVB therapy decreased both of them in patients, but they did not reach those of controls. Each of circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) Tregs% and FoxP3(+) Tregs% didn't correlate with either extent or activity of vitiligo before or after NB-UVB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tregs functional defect is probably having an impact on NSV. NB-UVB may improve the function of Tregs. Understanding the mechanisms through which NB-UVB exert its effect on reducing the number of circulating Tregs would help open up the paths for future therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology and Venereology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nayera H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Moftah
authors.forename: Rasha A H
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: El-Barbary
authors.forename: Mona A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Nancy A M
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
keywords: FoxP3; NB-UVB; Tregs; vitiligo