CXCL13 Serum Level as a Potential Biomarker in Vitiligo Patients: Correlation with Disease Activity and Severity

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a prevalent autoimmune pigmentary skin disorder, with 0.5 - 2% of the global population prevalence. Human follicular T helper cells, dendritic follicular cells, and mesenchymal lymphoid tissue organizer cells all generate the B-cell chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 (CXCL13). Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 and its receptor CXCR5 have been linked to the etiopathogenesis of various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in the latest studies. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the serum CXCL13 level in vitiligo patients and its relation to the activity and severity of the disease. Methods: This case-control study involved 21 vitiligo patients and 21 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Full history taking, clinical evaluation, and assessment of the disease activity and severity were performed for all the patients. The CXCL13 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The serum CXCL13 levels were significantly higher in vitiligo patients than in healthy controls (227.35 ± 125.70 and 130.58 ± 26.52 ng/L, respectively; P = 0.002). There was a significant relationship between CXCL13 and the clinical pattern of activity among patients with vitiligo; however, there was no correlation with disease activity or severity index scores. Conclusions: Although CXCL13 was greater in vitiligo patients than in healthy controls, it was unrelated to the activity or severity of the illness. This finding suggests that CXCL13 might have a role in the immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo.