DENVER, April 11 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have found a connection between a gene and an inflammatory skin condition called vitiligo, as well as in other autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Richard Spritz, director of the Human Medical Genetics Program at the University of Colorado-Denver, said the search for the genetic origin of vitiligo began more than 10 years ago.
Vitiligo is a chronic condition in which white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body and hair growing on those areas sometimes turns white.
"In the beginning we were looking for multiple family members with vitiligo," said Spritz, who said questionnaires were sent to members of the British Vitiligo Society asking whether other family members were affected and also inquiring about other autoimmune diseases.
Researchers learned vitiligo was highly associated with a number of other autoimmune diseases, including thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, Addison's disease, and adult-onset autoimmune diabetes.
That finding led to the discovery of a gene, NALP1, that was found key to predisposing people to vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease.
The study was detailed in the March 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
