Antimelanocyte Antibodies: A Possible Role in Patients with Vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting skin disorder with multifactorial pathogenesis including genetic, autoimmune, and neuronal factors. Both humoral- and cell-mediated immunities are supposed to have a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Patients with vitiligo have an increased concentration of circulating autoantibodies that are specific to melanocyte cytoplasm and surface antigens that related to the extent of the disease.

IL-13 gene expression in patients with atopic dermatitis: relation to IgE level and to disease severity.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease frequently associated with an increased serum IgE level. T helper cells are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. It is commonly believed that allergens activate Th2 cells, and it is likely that the cytokines produced by Th2 cells are crucial factors in the induction and maintenance of the disease.