Korean J Dermatol.  2003 Jun;41(6):690-695.

The Expression of the alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (alpha-MSH) and Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R) in the Epidermis of the Vitiligo

• Cha YC
• Lee HJ
• Lee SJ
• Na GY
• Chung SL

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vitiligo is a skin disease that is characterized by the loss of cutaneous pigmentation. alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a neuroimmunomodulating peptide derived from proopiomelanocortin, and melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a surface receptor which is expressed by several other cutaneous cells including melanocyte and keratinocyte. Both of them have been known to be the main physiologic regulator for integumental pigmentation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression pattern of alpha-MSH and MC1R in the epidermis of vitiligo patients. METHODS: Specimens were obtained in lesional, perilesional and non-lesional skin in 10 patients with vitiligo and from 3 normal persons by the punch biopsy. And then, indirect immunofluorescence was done to show the pattern of expression of alpha-MSH and MC1R. RESULTS: Pattern of expression between alpha-MSH and MC1R was nearly the same. In vitiligo patients with stable disease state (7 of 10), the expression of alpha-MSH and MC1R in the non-lesional skin was more prominent than that in lesional area. In vitiligo patients with active disease state (3 of 10), the expression of alpha-MSH and MC1R in the lesional skin was more prominent than that in non-lesional area. CONCLUSION: Between the stable and active vitiligo patients, there was a different pattern of expression of alpha-MSH and MC1R in the lesional skin.

Keyword

Vitiligo; alpha-MSH; MC1R

MeSH Terms

alpha-MSH
Biopsy
Epidermis*
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
Humans
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Pigmentation
Pro-Opiomelanocortin
Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1*
Skin
Skin Diseases
Vitiligo*
Pro-Opiomelanocortin
Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1
alpha-MSH