Role of chemokine ligand 22 in narrow-band ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation in vitiligo: an immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22) is a heparin-binding immunomodulator protein that plays an important role in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy was considered a cornerstone in the treatment of vitiligo. However, the mechanism of action of NB-UVB in vitiligo has not been completely elucidated. Objective To study the hypothesized role of CCL22 in vitiligo etiopathogenesis and to detect its possible role in NB-UVB-induced pigmentation in vitiligo through its lesional immunohistochemical evaluation in patients with vitiligo before and after ultraviolet B phototherapy.