The effects of 308-nm excimer laser on the infiltration of CD4+, CD8+ T-cells, and regulatory T cells in the lesional skin of patients at active and stable stages of nonsegmental vitiligo.

BACKGROUND

To explore the associations between this treatment and CD4+, CD8+ T-cells, and regulatory T cells (Treg).

METHODS

We collected the skin biopsies from 295 patients with nonsegmental vitiligo treated with or without 308-nm excimer laser. We revealed that patients at stable stage showed a better response to 308-nm excimer laser than those at active stage.

RESULTS

In comparison with untreated patients, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were both reduced while Foxp3+ Treg cells, TGF-β, and IL-10 were elevated in the lesional sites of patients who showed effective reaction to the treatment. In the treated patients at active stage, the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly declined but Foxp3+ Treg cells, TGF-β, and IL-10 were increased compared to those in untreated patients at active stage. These changes of cell infiltration were more obvious in the treated patients at stable stage, explaining why there were more patients at stable stage response better than patients at active stage.

CONCLUSIONS

308-nm excimer laser is effective to reduce the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but promote the infiltration Treg cells and secretion of TGF-β and IL-10 in the lesion skin of vitiligo patients, especially at stable stage.