Demystifying the Vitiligo conundrum

"Vitiligo is a multifactorial, depigmenting disorder of the skin characterized by loss of functional melanocytes, resulting in appearance of milky white patches on skin. Several speculative proposals for the cause of melanocyte loss have been put forward based on corroborative evidence to explain this enigmatic disorder. These include autoimmune theory, cytotoxic metabolite theory, neural theory, genetic theory and a doctrine of convergence encompassing all factors. The current treatment regimen for vitiligo emphasizes on autoimmune disorder. However, the results are variable and largely symptomatic with minimal success. It can be argued that complex diseases like vitiligo denote multiple disorders resulting in the same phenotype. In order to unravel the complex etiology of vitiligo, we are investigating different mechanisms that can lead to melanocyte loss. A major focus of our laboratory is therefore to delineate molecular components and regulatory pathways that maintain pigmentation homeostasis in skin. Simultaneously, we are examining pathophysiological differences in the lesional and non-lesional skin from subjects that can reveal mechanisms that are responsible for the maintenance of stable patches. In my talk, I will discuss our attempts towards finding ways to cure this debilitating disorder."