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Hi All,  I've just connected this 2 things so that I would like to share with you.

We all have heard that new researches point to the fact that vitiligo is caused by melanocyte detachment from the basement membrane (melanocytorrhagy).   I've just realized that melanocytes have 2 adhesion mechanisms:

1- The contingency one (CCN3=>DDR1=>Collagen4  see picture below) that seems to be the genetic dysfunctional adhesion in vitiligo sufferers (GENETIC cause)

2- The main one (integrin alpha-beta) is the one that is destroyed by MIA protein when skin is submitted to physical traumas, friction, oxidative stress and stress hormones (SECONDARY causes).

So, it seems that vitiligo sufferers only have integrins as a melanocyte adhesion mechanism. However,  when MIA protein is produced in a daily basis,  it disrupts integrin and melanocyte exfoliate in epidermis.

That would explain why vitiligo sufferers "lose" melanocytes (causing white patches) and non-vitiligo sufferers can handle hostile circumstances (since they do have 2 adhesion mechanisms).

Please find attached papers that support these 2 mechanisms.

Please let me know your thoughts.

              LAMINA DENSA => BASEMENT MEMBRANE

MIA (MELANOMA INHIBITORY ACTIVITY) INHIBITORS FOR DETECTING, PREVENTING AND CURING VITILIGO.pdf

Matricellular Proteins Produced by Melanocytes and Melanomas.pdf