The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Vitiligo Treatment

Background and Design: Vitiligo is an acquired hypomelanotic disorder characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules in the skin resulting from the loss of functional melanocytes. Narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB)has been used in vitiligo treatment. Possible mechanisms by which NB-UVB induces repigmentation in vitiligo are: regulation of the immune response, melanocyte proliferation and melanocyte migration. In melanocyte migration, the efficacy of NB-UVB might derive from induction of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). In our study, we aimed to test whether there would be an increase in MMP-2 levels by NB-UVB treatment. Material and Method: Twenty-three adult vitiligo patients without any systemic disease and who have not received treatment previously were included in this study. The patients were treated with NB-UVB irradiation. Biopsy specimens taken from all patients before and after the treatment were compared in terms of MMP-2 immunoreactivity. Results: There were statistically significant differences in MMP-2 immunostaining between the tissue specimens taken before and after the treatment. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the NB-UVB therapy can increase the MMP-2 activity, and MMP-2 may have an important role in vitiligo repigmentation process. (Turkderm 2010; 44: 216-9)