A cross-sectional study of the levels of cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in blood and skin (lesional and uninvolved) of vitiligo patients and their possible role as biomarkers

Introduction: Vitiligo is a multifactorial disorder, most often explained by the autoimmune hypothesis. The objective of this study is to measure the levels of cytokines IL-6, TNF-a, and IFN-? in the blood and skin (lesional and uninvolved) of vitiligo patients and to compare it with that of age-matched controls.Methods: IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma cytokines were measured with a BioRad 6110 ELISA reader. We compared the levels of these cytokines in generalized versus localized vitiligo and stable versus unstable vitiligo. We also correlated cytokine levels in blood/lesion/uninvolved skin with body surface area (BSA) involvement and Vitiligo Disease Activity (VIDA) scoring.Result: Forty-three participants, each with vitiligo and control, were analyzed. The values of TNF-a and IL 6 in sera were significantly higher in the vitiligo group compared with the controls (p < 0.001), whereas INF-? was significantly lower in the vitiligo group than the control group. TNF-a, INF-? levels when compared between blood, lesional skin, and normal skin in all vitiligo patients were found to be significant (p < 0.001).Conclusion: We conclude vitiligo is strongly associated with increased levels of TNF-a and IL 6.