title: Expression of Epidermal c-Kit+ of Vitiligo Lesions Is Related to Responses to Excimer Laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The survival and growth of melanocytes are controlled by the binding of stem cell factor to its cell surface receptor c-kit+ (CD117). We have observed that c-kit+ melanocytes existed in some lesions of vitiligo, while Melan A+ cells were absent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify possible relation between c-kit+ expression and treatment response in non-segmental vitiligo lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin biopsies were done from the center of the 47 lesions from the 47 patients with non-segmental vitiligo. Expression of c-kit+ and Melan A, and amounts of melanin in the epidermis were assessed in each lesion, and treatment responses to excimer laser were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five of the 47 lesions (74.5%) had c-kit+ phenotypes. There was significant difference of c-kit staining value between good responders in 3 months of excimer laser treatment (average of 24 sessions) and the others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  c-Kit expression in vitiliginous epidermis may be related to better treatment responses to excimer laser.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Oun Jae
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hyung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chan-Sik
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chong Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Won
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Woo
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jee Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Chang
keywords: Excimer laser; Vitiligo; c-Kit receptor