FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A unique chicken breed is helping researchers better understand vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that affects 1-2 percent of the world’s population.
In vitiligo, the immune system attacks cells called melanocytes, causing skin pigment to disappear.
The effects are more than skin deep.
“Autoimmune diseases are multifactorial and non-communicable, and one is often associated with other autoimmune disorders. They call it the kaleidoscope of autoimmunity,” Dr. Gisela Erf, professor of immunology with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, said. “Vitiligo in humans, is strongly associated with autoimmune thyroiditis where the thyroid gland becomes attacked by. . .
Register or Login to keep reading
Thank you for your interest in accessing the complete content. To continue reading, please register for free. By registering, you'll gain full access to our valuable resources, updates, and insights.
If you already have an account please Log In.
