Human epidermis has been produced in vitro for decades using adult epidermal stem cells from donors to provide cell therapy. However, its use is hampered by the difficulty in supplying the amount of epidermal substitute needed in order to extend the application to all patients who may benefit from it. Derivation of pluripotent stem cells, either of embryonic origin or following genetic reprogramming, has opened the path for an alternative source for epidermal cell therapy as these cells are both immortal and pluripotent, theoretically capable of providing any requested number of cells of any desired phenotype.

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Aims and background : Genodermatoses are characterized by genetic disorders of the skin affecting mainly either keratinocytes or melanocytes , the two majors cell types of the epidermis.   Human epidermis has been produced in vitro for decades using adult epidermal stem cells from donors to provide cell therapy. However, its use is hampered by [...]

Psoralen
One of my old college professors told me, “If you want a new idea, read an old book.” So thanks to Dr. Richard N. Miller at the University of Central Florida I read an old book on vitiligo. Dr. Montes listed this book in the bibliography of an article; Abdel Monem El Mofty called the book Vitiligo and Psoralens. PUVA, Psoralen combined with Ultra Violet light is a common therapy for vitiligo. I enjoyed reading about these psoralens because it made me realize I had options, other than pharmaceuticals with …

Chapter 5
Treatment
Long after the first recognizable picture in the puzzle is put together, many of the other pictures are falling into place. Some of the hardest work is yet to come. It is the most monotonous part. One particularly hard puzzle had a clear blue sky. It was just about impossible for me to distinguish each individual piece. You couldn’t look at the cover and see where the piece would fit in, they were all seemingly the same. So I started one piece at a time, trying to fit …

And all that got me wondering has anybody done any research on attitudes to vitiligo (by both people who have it and the societies they live in) in different cultures/countries? In particular, in cultures which are basically of Northern European extraction? Are for example Swedes, who seem to have a pretty relaxed attitude to their bodies in general, less bothered about it?

A drug initially developed to protect skin from light and UV will soon be tested as a repigmentation therapy in vitiligo