Functional analisis of vitamin D effect on vitiligo pathology

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08765
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Yamasaki Kenshi 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (40294798)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 白斑 / ビタミンD / ゲノムワイド連鎖解析 / 自己免疫疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we planned to test whether cholecalciferol supplementation improves vitiligo vulgaris symptoms in patients with vitiligo vulgaris, and were able to begin recruiting subjects in FY2021 after obtaining institutional ethics approval. As an evaluation method for vitiligo status, we developed an image analysis method to examine the efficacy of photographic image evaluation of local lesions as well as whole body clinical symptom evaluation (VASI), using image analysis software such as image J to analyze images taken with a digital camera. Using these methods, we are verifying the method of analyzing and evaluating the area of vitiligo and changes in color tone over time using existing vitiligo vulgaris skin images. The results were validated using GWAS of skin color and sunburn and reported.

Free Research Field

皮膚科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

白斑を含む皮膚色調異常は、紫外線防御を含む皮膚バリア機能の低下の一因となる。私の先行研究においてビタミンDの低下が白斑患者に多いことが明らかになっており、本研究でその医学的意義を検証することは患者を含む社会的意義が大きい。また、皮膚色調に関連する遺伝子をゲノムワイド連鎖解析で確認したことで、皮膚色調の制御因子と環境・外的要因との関連をより精緻に検証できる基盤を本研究は提供した。