title: Assessment of tissue FoxP3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in active and stable nonsegmental vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The exact etiology of vitiligo remains obscure. Studies have indicated a role for cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The aim of this study is to assess tissue FoxP3+ natural regulatory T-cells (Tregs), as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in active vs. stable nonsegmental vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical double-staining for expression of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells with immunostaining for expression of FoxP3 in lesional, marginal, and nonlesional skin of nonsegmental vitiligo was used to evaluate the abundance of Tregs among CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in active and stable cases of vitiligo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase in the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and a highly significant reduction in the number of FoxP3-expressing Tregs were detected in marginal skin in both stable and active vitiligo cases. FoxP3+ cells were decreased in tissue of patients with vitiligo compared with healthy controls. The number of CD8+ T-cells was increased in the epidermis and dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) in comparison with the number of CD4+ T-cells. Tregs were mostly present at the DEJ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduction in the number of FoxP3+ cells in the marginal skin suggests that this is the site where regulatory activity is needed to suppress the activity of helper and cytotoxic T-cells that are actively contributing to depigmentation.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors: Marwa
authors: M
authors: Abdallah
authors: Ranya
authors: R
authors: Lotfi
authors: Wessam
authors: W
authors: Othman
authors: Riham
authors: R
authors: Galal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020405:Dermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors