الفهرس 
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Abstract
Vitiligo is a common autoimmune disease of skin depigmentation. The disease represents many challenges, such as progression, resistance to treatment and recurrence. Multiple theories were postulated to explain its pathogenesis, where the main one is the autoimmune theory. Recent studies reported a possible role of IL-15 in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, including vitiligo. This study was carried out to trace its potential role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of vitiligo.
IL-15 is a proinflammatory cytokine secreted by mononuclear phagocytes and plays an important function in the pathogenesis of multiple cutaneous autoimmune diseases, especially vitiligo, through its ability to promote innate and adaptive immunity. It is also known to promote proliferation and survival of Trm cells, which persist in the skin, especially epidermis and are responsible, in part, for the pathogenesis and more important in the reactivation of vitiligo. Recently, IL-15 was reported (in animal study) as a therapeutic target, where vitiligo lesions were repigmented by blocking its action either by using anti IL-15 Ab or anti CD-122.
Exploring the role played by IL-15 in vitiligo, may update and refine the management plan designed for each patient, especially in recurrent cases and according to its activity or stability of vitiligo.
This study aimed at evaluation of tissue and serum levels of IL-15 in vitiligo patients compared to healthy controls.
We included 31 participants; 20 vitiligo patients and 11 controls. Four punch biopsies were taken; from vitiliginous patches; active (new), recurrent, as well as non-vitiliginous (stable) patch, and another one from a control. Serum and tissue level of IL-15 were assessed by ELISA technique.
There was no statistically significant difference between IL-15 levels in tissue and serum of control group. All levels of IL-15 in patients were significantly higher than in control. In patients, level of IL-15 in serum was significantly higher than in active and stable patches but lower than in recurrent patches. IL-15 level, in recurrent patches, was significantly the highest of all parrameters.
These findings, while pointing at a role in activity, they highlight its dominant role in recurrence of the disease. IL-15 needs Trm cells to fulfill its role and, together, they seem to be potential therapeutic targets to control the disease and prevent recurrence.
We recommend more studies targeting IL-15, as well as Trm cells, to know more about their exact role in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo and their importance in the recurrence of it and in other dermatoses to adopt them as promising therapeutic agents.