Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) as a spontaneous animal model of Vitiligo. (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singh, Vijay Pal; Motiani, Rajender K.; Singh, Archana; Malik, Garima; Aggarwal, Rangoli; Pratap, Kunal; Wani, Mohan R.; Gokhale, Suresh B.; Natarajan, Vivek T.; Gokhale, Rajesh S.
• Is Part Of: Pigment cell & melanoma research. Volume 29:Number 4(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 465
• Page End: 469
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: vitiligo -- animal model -- buffalo -- molecular studies -- ultrastructural changes; Melanoma -- Periodicals; Chromatophores -- Periodicals; Animal pigments -- Periodicals; 616.99477
• DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12485
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-1471

Abstract

Summary: Vitiligo is a multifactorial acquired depigmenting disorder. Recent insights into the molecular mechanisms driving the gradual destruction of melanocytes in vitiligo will likely lead to the discovery of novel therapies, which need to be evaluated in animal models that closely recapitulate the pathogenesis of human vitiligo. In humans, vitiligo is characterized by a spontaneous loss of functional melanocytes from the epidermis, but most animal models of vitiligo are either inducible or genetically programmed. Here, we report that acquired depigmentation in water buffalo recapitulates molecular, histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural changes observed in human vitiligo and hence could be used as a model to study vitiligo pathogenesis and facilitate the discovery and evaluation of therapeutic interventions for vitiligo.