AUTHOR=Boniface Katia , Passeron Thierry , Seneschal Julien , Tulic Meri K. TITLE=Targeting Innate Immunity to Combat Cutaneous Stress: The Vitiligo Perspective JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.613056 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2021.613056 ISSN=1664-3224 ABSTRACT=

Multiple factors are involved in the process leading to melanocyte loss in vitiligo including environmental triggers, genetic polymorphisms, metabolic alterations, and autoimmunity. This review aims to highlight current knowledge on how danger signals released by stressed epidermal cells in a predisposed patient can trigger the innate immune system and initiate a cascade of events leading to an autoreactive immune response, ultimately contributing to melanocyte disappearance in vitiligo. We will explore the genetic data available, the specific role of damage-associated-molecular patterns, and pattern-recognition receptors, as well as the cellular players involved in the innate immune response. Finally, the relevance of therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway to improve this inflammatory and autoimmune condition is also discussed.