OBJECTIVETo detect the serum levels of melanocyte antibodies and explore the relation between melanoma antigen recognized by T-cells (MART-1) and vitiligo in children.

METHODSThe serum samples were collected from children with vitiligo to test the autoantibodies, and divided into low- and high-titer group according to the test results. Melanocytes were incubated with the serum samples, and the changes of melanocyte surface antigen were evaluated using specific MART-1 antibody.

RESULTSThe serum melanocyte antibody levels in children with vitiligo were significantly higher than those in normal subjects. The expression level of melanocyte surface antigen MART-1 increased obviously after incubation of the melanocyte with high antibody titer serum samples, and MART-1 was found to specifically bind to specific MART-1 antibody.

CONCLUSIONMelanocytes MART-1 may correlate to the autoimmune mechanism in children with vitiligo.

Adolescent ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; MART-1 Antigen ; immunology ; Male ; Melanocytes ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Vitiligo ; immunology

Acclimatization ; physiology ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Mountaineering ; physiology ; Oxygen Consumption ; physiology ; Physical Fitness ; physiology ; Young Adult