Effect of narrow band-ultraviolet B on CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of vitiligo patients.

Background: It is widely believed that an imbalance between activated CD8(+) T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) exists in patients with vitiligo. Although there is evidence that narrow band ultraviolet (NB-UVB) irradiation can induce Tregs' number and activity, but up to our knowledge, none of the published studies involved the possible effect of NB-UVB on Tregs in vitiligo.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of NB-UVB on circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (FoxP3(+) Tregs) in vitiligo.