Autoantibodies Profile in Vitiligo

Abstract

Vitiligo is one of the disease which is yet to understand its pathogenesis, however many studies associate this disease as an autoimmune. Detection of autoimmune cells in the serum, lesional and perilesional area of vitiligo patients gives more insight on the disease mechanism. Presence of autoantibodies against melanocytes antigens in vitiligo patients indicates an autoimmune involvement in the aetiology of the disease. Identification and characterization of vitiligo autoantibodies would pave the way for developing new laboratory test for diagnosis. Studying the autoantibodies profile can give an impression on the disease condition of vitiligo patients. We realized the need of research emphasis in this area as more is yet to be discovered. In this review we give an account on different autoantibodies and their associated autoantigens in vitiligo as another effort of providing an updated data for detail analysis.

Environmentally Driven Color Variation in the Pearl Oyster Pinctada margaritifera var. cumingii (Linnaeus, 1758) Is Associated With Differential Methylation of CpGs in Pigment- and Biomineralization-Related Genes

“…Among the hypermethylated genes, we found those for a G-protein coupled receptor ( GRL101 ), a target of rapamycin complex 2 subunit ( MAPKAP1 ), an enolase ( enolase-4 ), sodium/potassium/calcium exchanger 1 and a perlucin-like protein. MAPKAP1 (TOR signaling pathway) promotes dark epithelial pigmentation ( Liu et al, 2017 ), GRL101 (rhodopsin signaling pathway) is an ortholog of the pigment dispersing factor ( Tanaka et al, 2014 ), and enolase (glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway) is a biomarker of vitiligo, a human pigmentation disorder affecting melanocytes ( Hamid et al, 2015 ). Perlucin is a well-known matrix protein found in the nacreous layer of the pearl oyster shell ( Joubert et al, 2010 ) with a function in the biomineralization process.…”

“…Enolase-4 is another candidate gene displaying hypomethylation at 30 m. Enolases are metalloenzymes involved in glycolysis and glycogen storage. One study reported a correlation between enolase activity and pigmentation: Hamid et al (2015) showed that patients with vitiligo (a pigmentation disorder affecting melanocytes and inhibiting pigment synthesis) synthesize antibodies directed against enolases. Since their discovery, enolases have been used as biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of vitiligo ( Hamid et al, 2015 ).…”

“…One study reported a correlation between enolase activity and pigmentation: Hamid et al (2015) showed that patients with vitiligo (a pigmentation disorder affecting melanocytes and inhibiting pigment synthesis) synthesize antibodies directed against enolases. Since their discovery, enolases have been used as biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of vitiligo ( Hamid et al, 2015 ). The causes of this pathology are still unclear, although both genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved ( Hamid et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Since their discovery, enolases have been used as biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of vitiligo ( Hamid et al, 2015 ). The causes of this pathology are still unclear, although both genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved ( Hamid et al, 2015 ). In the case of the pearl oyster, the hypomethylation of the enolase gene at 30 m may be associated with a change of expression inducing a darker phenotype.…”