Figure 4.

Vitiligo pathogenesis revealed through translational research. A simple overview of the current understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis. Autoreactive CD8+ T cells are recruited to the skin by CXCL10 produced by keratinocytes and kill melanocytes. These cells convert to resident memory T cells, which maintain vitiligo and require IL-15 signaling in the skin. JAKi and IL15i, outlined in red, may be effective treatments for vitiligo and are currently being tested in clinical trials. Some questions that remain include how melanocyte abnormalities initiate autoimmunity, the mechanism by which CD8+ T cells kill melanocytes, how Tregs suppress disease, and how changes in metabolism effect disease activity. Existing and developing translational tools will help to answer these and other questions. Figure created in BioRender.com.