Factors affecting vitiligo response to treatment: do MiRNA 196a2C/T gene polymorphism and serum tyrosinase levels have any role?

• Published in: The Journal of dermatological treatment 2022-04, Vol.33 (3), p.1351-1355
• Main Authors: Monib, Khaled Mohey El-Din, Sabry, Hanan Hassan, Hussein, Mohamed Saber, El-fallah, Asmaa Adel, Salem, Rehab Mohammed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: MiRNA 196a2C/T; response; tyrosinase; vitiligo
• ISSN: 0954-6634; 1471-1753
• DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1810202

Factors contributing to the pathogenesis of vitiligo and factors affecting its response to treatment are still a major area of debate. The study aimed to assess the serum levels of tyrosinase and Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) gene polymorphism in a sample of Egyptian vitiligo patients, and to determine factors affecting the response of vitiligo to treatment. This prospective case-control interventional study included 212 non-segmental vitiligo patients and 96 control subjects. Before treatment, vitiligo was evaluated using Vitiligo Area Severity Index. Detection of miRNA 196a-2 polymorphism was done using PCR-REELP and serum tyrosinase was measured using ELISA. After treatment, patients were reevaluated clinically and serum tyrosinase levels were re-measured. The tyrosinase levels were significantly elevated in patients. The TT genotype was the most prevalent one in the patients. The percentage of improvement showed a significant positive correlation with patients' ages and age of the disease onset and a negative correlation with disease duration, baseline VASI scores and serum tyrosinase levels. MiRNA 196a-2 C/T (11614913) gene polymorphism and the elevated serum tyrosinase levels might be related to the pathogenesis of vitiligo and may affect its therapeutic response.