title: T helper 17 and Tregs: a novel proposed mechanism for NB-UVB in vitiligo.
abstract: Narrowband ultraviolet (NB-UV)B is accepted as corner stone therapy for vitiligo. Its influence on the expression of IL-17, IL- 22 and FoxP3 as markers for the Th17 and Tregs lineages has not been studied before in the context of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). The study included 20 active NSV patients who received 36 NB-UVB sessions and 20 controls. Clinical evaluation Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) and determination of tissue expression of IL-17, IL-22 and FoxP3 by qRT-PCR (lesional, perilesional) were carried out before and after therapy. Baseline levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were significantly higher in patients, whereas FoxP3 was significantly lower. After therapy, IL-17 and IL-22 significantly dropped, whereas FoxP3 significantly increased (lesional, perilesional). Baseline and post-treatment VASI showed significant positive correlations with IL-17 and IL-22 and significant negative correlation with FoxP3 expression. Restoration of the balance between Th17 and Tregs might represent a novel pathway for the improvement that NB-UVB exerts in vitiligo patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kasr AlAini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Rehab A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hegazy
authors.forename: Marwa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fawzy
authors.forename: Heba I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Gawdat
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Samir
authors.forename: Laila A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rashed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000032:analysis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; D058504:Th17 Cells; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000276:immunology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D020381:Interleukin-17; D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human
keywords: NB-UVB; Th 17; Tregs; vitiligo