All trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) elevated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A1) mRNA in ATRA-responsive vitiliginous epidermis.

Chronic skin disorders that require long-term treatment with corticosteroids, such as vitiligo, may use a combination of topical corticosteroids and topical all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) to prevent corticosteroid-induced skin atrophy. Besides protecting against the side effects of corticosteroids, ATRA produces a better clinical outcome in some patients. This study examined whether ATRA influences the expression of mRNAs responsible for the clinical correlation. Differential display was performed using kits incorporating an annealing control primer. Epidermis from suction blisters taken from six patients diagnosed with a generalized type of vitiligo, who were included in a placebo-controlled paired-comparison left-right study using ATRA and vehicle for 3-6 months, were used. Ten differentially expressed mRNAs were identified in those six patients. Expression levels were restored to normal particularly in four types of mRNAs, which were matched with sequences encoding eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A1), ribosomal protein L13, mediator of RNA polymerase to transcription (MRT) and ribosomal phosphoprotein PO. Of those mRNAs, the level of eIF4A1 mRNA showed a clinical correlation; The expression of eIF4A1 mRNA, examined by real-time PCR, was elevated in four patients who showed a favorable clinical response to ATRA, whereas no change or a decrease occurred in three patients whose clinical responses did not differ between ATRA and vehicle treatment. The eIF4A1 protein expression from the other two patients, one of them with a favorable response to ATRA, also showed a clinical correlation. Therefore, eIF4A1 mRNA may be an important gene related to ATRA effects, although further studies are required.