Reduced Elastin Fibers and Melanocyte Loss in Vitiliginous Skin Are Restored after Repigmentation by Phototherapy and/or Autologous Minigraft Transplantation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

From my point of view, it is an excellent and illustrative article that deals with vitiligo and the way to attenuate pain through phototherapy. The presentation of the article is excellent, and the quality of the figures is striking due to their clarity and significance. I am also of the opinion that the time for the execution of the project was long, however appropriate. The conclusions are valid. The English language not being my native language, I am not suitable to comment on the writing style, however, English is comprehensive and does not present any difficulty in reading.

Reviewer 2 Report

This manuscript is well written and supported by clear as well as scientifically-based clinical evidences/results showing the reduction of elastin fibers in vitiliginous skin lesion and loss of melanocytes compared to non-lesional skin as well as their recovery further phototherapy and/or autologous minigraft transplantation. Although, the direct or indirect role of elastin fibers in vitiligo remain to be determined as the authors stated in their discussion. This manuscript provide clinical evidence to support further investigation on the role of elastins fibers in skin de- and re-pigmentation.

Reviewer 3 Report

A work of very high scientific value, experimental. The value is slightly lowered by too small number of analysed cases, but this is understandable from the methodology of the work. Very high value of learning about the complex, not fully understood etiology and course of a chronic and quality of life-degrading disease such as vitiligo.