Repigmentation patterns induced by NB‐UVB and their relationship with melanocytic migration and proliferation in vitiligo

Abstract

Vitiligo is the most commonly acquired depigmentation disorder of the skin and is characterized by the destruction of melanocytes. Ultraviolet phototherapy with narrow band (UVB‐NB) induces proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and migration of melanocytes. The clinical repigmentation is featured by follicular, marginal, and diffuse patterns. The aim of this study was to observe the process involved in the melanocyte migration and proliferation among these patterns and the unresponsive lesions following UVB‐NB phototherapy. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and c‐KIT were used as markers of melanocyte migration and differentiation, respectively.