Shared histological and immunohistological findings in two patients with generalized vitiligo associated with autoimmune atrophic gastritis
Abstract :
The prevalence of Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis(A.A.G)in vitiligo patients was estimated about 15%.In both conditions a release of specific antibodies and an autoimmune destruction of target cells(melanocytes in vitiligo,parietal cells in AAG) mediated by CD8- T lymphocytes was demonstrated
Aim :To perform a comparative histological study of vitiligo skin and A.A.G mucosa
Method :In two patients with cocomitant vitiligo and autoimmune atrophic gastritis,biopsies from the vitiligo lesions and gastric mucosa from corpus fundus were preformed. Sections were immunostained with E- Cadherin,Coll IV,CD8,CD20,CD4 antibodies. The skin sections also were stained with HES, HMB45, MITF.Result:common histological findings were found in both diseases. Adhesivity impairment with down expression of E- Cadherin and Coll IV was objectivated.The protruding MITF+melanocytes and the detached PC were surrounded by an infiltrate including CD8 and CD4.CD8 were infiltrating the epidermis in close contact with remaining melanocytes and the gastric glands around remaining P.C
Discussion : In both diseases the autoimmune process could be preceeded by a detachment of either melanocytes in vitiligo or PC in AAG possibly in relation of an initial adhesivity impairment of these cells
Conclusion : A common autoimmune mechanisms could be suggested for both diseases.