Highlights in pathogenesis of vitiligo

• Published in: World journal of clinical cases Vol. 3; no. 3; pp. 221 - 230
• Main Authors: Mohammed, Ghada F, Gomaa, Amal Ha, Al-Dhubaibi, Mohammed Saleh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 16.03.2015
• Subjects: Review; Vitiligo; Non-segmental vitiligo; Pigmentary disorder; Etiopathogenesis; Segmental vitiligo
• ISSN: 2307-8960; 2307-8960
• DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i3.221

Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder. Many studies across decades and all over the world have attempted to illustrate the pathogenesis behind it; however, the pathogenesis of vitiligo remains elusive. This review article, we present the findings behind the most and updated theories behind this psychologically debilitating and disfiguring disease. The discussion begun with the role of genetic predisposition followed by neural theory first proposed in the 1950s. We highlight the autoimmune hypothesis, followed by the reactive oxygen species model, zinc-α2-glycoprotein deficiency hypothesis, viral theory, intrinsic theory and biochemical, molecular and cellular alterations accounting for loss of functioning melanocytes in vitiligo. Many theories were elaborated to clarify vitiligo pathogenesis. It is a multifactorial disease involving the interplay of several factors. Future research is needed to clarify the interaction of these factors for better understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis and subsequent successful treatment.