Not Follicular but Dermal Melanocyte Precursors Are Histopathologically Retained in Vitiligo

Although perifollicular repigmentation in the vitiligo lesions is owing to activation of follicular melanocyte stem cells and/or precursor followed by supplying matured melanocytes, underlying mechanism diffuse on whole surface remains still unknown. In addition presence remaining it conceivable that dermal contribute induce after treatment. Therefore, we investigated here whether and were reduced or not lesions. We performed an immunostaining for Nestin p75NGFR as MITF/Fzd4 compared positive number between non-lesions (n = 11). MITF+/Fzd4+ hair follicle significantly decreased lesions, Nestin+ p75NGFR+ not. This result indicates could be retained but disturbed differentiate into melanocytes.