Melanocytes and Vitiligo and Hair Graying

The 2014 document discusses melanocyte biology and their role in skin pigmentation, vitiligo, and hair graying. Melanocytes, originating from neural crest cells, produce melanin and are influenced by factors like the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Defects in melanosome maturation and trafficking can lead to depigmentation disorders. The Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is crucial for melanocyte development and survival, with its deficiency leading to the absence of melanocytes. Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease with a global prevalence of 0.5-1%, results in the loss of melanocytes and is associated with other autoimmune diseases. Its pathophysiology involves genetic and environmental factors, with treatments including topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, and in some cases, oral pulsed prednisolone, which halted progression in 87.7% of 81 patients and achieved repigmentation in 70.4% after four months. Hair graying is attributed to the impaired maintenance of melanocyte stem cells, with Bcl-2 being essential for their survival.