Figure 7. Nrf2-p62 pathway regulates autophagy in normal human melanocytes and vitiligo melanocytes under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress.

Under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in normal human melanocytes, Nrf2 dissociates from Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap1) and then translocates to the nucleus where it binds to ARE and finally upregulates p62 expression. Upregulation of p62 can further promote cell autophagy and then protect melanocytes from H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage. On the contrary, in vitiligo melanocytes, impaired activation of the Nrf2-p62 pathway leads to decreased p62 expression, which fails to induce cell autophagy and then cause cell death exposed to H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress.