Sun exposure, vitamin D receptor polymorphisms FokI and BsmI and risk of multiple primary melanoma.

Background: Sunlight exposure increases risk of melanoma. Sunlight also potentiates cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D, which can inhibit melanoma cell growth and promote apoptosis. Vitamin D effects are mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte reactivity to gp100, MelanA/MART-1, and tyrosinase, in HLA-A2-positive vitiligo patients.

Vitiligo is a common depigmentation disorder thought to result from autoimmune destruction of melanocytes. Recent studies suggest a role for cell-mediated immune responses to melanocyte differentiation antigens, including gp100, MelanA/MART-1, and tyrosinase, in vitiligo pathogenesis. This study investigated T cell reactivity to MelanA/MART-1, tyrosinase, and gp100, in HLA-A2-positive patients with vitiligo.