Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2021, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (3): 267-269.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20190876

• Reviews • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Therapeutic trauma-induced repigmentation of vitiligo lesions: mechanisms and relevant clinical studies

Liao Zhikai, Lei Tiechi   

  1. Department of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
  • Received:2019-09-05 Revised:2020-03-31 Online:2021-03-15 Published:2021-03-02
  • Contact: Lei Tiechi E-mail:tiechilei@126.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(81573028、81972919)

Abstract: 【Abstract】 It has long been noted that dermabrasion, plum-blossom needling or micro-needling, and even ablative fractional CO2 laser are effective for repigmentation of vitiligo lesions resistant to conventional ultraviolet B phototherapy. In addition to trauma-induced increase in the transdermal absorption of drugs, these treatments also initiate wound repair and activate melanocytes in hair follicles or epidermis. Basal layer keratinocytes, vascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts in the wound margins can secrete chemokine CXCL12 to recruit melanocytes or melanocyte stem cells expressing chemokine receptors CXCR4/CXCR7 in the hair follicle bulge or around the skin lesions to move towards the vitiliginous area. This review summarizes progress in repigmentation of vitiligo lesions induced by therapeutic skin trauma.

Key words: Vitiligo, Chemokine CXCL12, Melanocyte, Therapeutic trauma, Repigmentation