Numbers and differentiation status of melanocytes in idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis

The etiology and pathogenesis of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) are largely unknown. To investigate whether the pathologic alteration in IGH involves changes in melanocytic differentiation, cell number, or both, we studied nine lesions of IGH by immunoperoxidase, using monoclonal antibodies...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cutaneous pathology 1998-08, Vol.25 (7), p.375-379
Main Authors: Wallaces, Michael L., Grichnik, James M., Prieto, Victor G., Shea, Christopher R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Differentiation
Dermatology
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
Humans
Hypopigmentation - metabolism
Hypopigmentation - pathology
Hypopigmentation - physiopathology
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Medical sciences
Melanocytes - cytology
Melanocytes - metabolism
Melanocytes - pathology
Membrane Glycoproteins
Oxidoreductases
Pigmentary diseases of the skin
Proteins - metabolism
Skin - metabolism
Skin - pathology
Skin - physiopathology
Skin Diseases - metabolism
Skin Diseases - pathology
Skin Diseases - physiopathology
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Summary:The etiology and pathogenesis of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) are largely unknown. To investigate whether the pathologic alteration in IGH involves changes in melanocytic differentiation, cell number, or both, we studied nine lesions of IGH by immunoperoxidase, using monoclonal antibodies against the KIT receptor and a panel of melanocyte differentiation antigens (tyrosinase‐related protein‐1, tyrosinase, and gp100/pme117). In each case, compared with grossly normal non‐lesional skin, IGH lesions showed markedly reduced numbers both of KIT+ cells and of cells expressing melanocyte differentiation antigens (p < 0.0001). Double immunofluorescence labeling of lesions revealed only scattered cells with a less‐differentiated phenotype, i.e. cells positive for KIT but having low or undetectable TRP‐1. These results indicate that the pathogenesis of IGH involves an absolute decrease in the number of melanocytes; a block in melanocyte differentiation does not appear to be a major component of the process.
ISSN:0303-6987
1600-0560
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0560.1998.tb01761.x