The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatment

Abstract Vitiligo is a dermatological condition that affects millions of individuals globally and is frequently precipitated by damage to or dysfunction of melanocytes. Despite the availability of various therapeutic options, the management of vitiligo remains a significant challenge, underscoring t...

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Main Authors: Rui-Lin Yang, De-Zhi Zhao, Yi-Bing Yang, Han-Xiao Wei, Kang Yang, Yu-Jie Zhao, Wei-Hong Wan, Zu-Lin Liu, Yuan Feng, Qian Zhang, Tao Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Translational Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06627-8
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author Rui-Lin Yang
De-Zhi Zhao
Yi-Bing Yang
Han-Xiao Wei
Kang Yang
Yu-Jie Zhao
Wei-Hong Wan
Zu-Lin Liu
Yuan Feng
Qian Zhang
Tao Zhang
author_facet Rui-Lin Yang
De-Zhi Zhao
Yi-Bing Yang
Han-Xiao Wei
Kang Yang
Yu-Jie Zhao
Wei-Hong Wan
Zu-Lin Liu
Yuan Feng
Qian Zhang
Tao Zhang
author_sort Rui-Lin Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Vitiligo is a dermatological condition that affects millions of individuals globally and is frequently precipitated by damage to or dysfunction of melanocytes. Despite the availability of various therapeutic options, the management of vitiligo remains a significant challenge, underscoring the necessity for innovative treatment approaches. Currently, Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) have gained prominence as a therapeutic modality in the research of numerous diseases, owing to their remarkable paracrine effects, making them a promising strategy for immunomodulation and tissue repair. The downregulation of specific cytokines by MSCs has the potential to enhance the microenvironment of vitiligo lesions, thereby contributing to therapeutic outcomes. This article aims to review the immunologic pathogenesis of vitiligo, the involvement of certain cytokines in its pathogenesis, and the therapeutic potential of MSCs in the treatment of vitiligo. It is anticipated that this review will serve as a reference for future therapeutic strategies involving MSCs in the management of vitiligo.
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institution DOAJ
issn 1479-5876
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Journal of Translational Medicine
spelling doaj-art-2099d9f2671e418cb4c6a70fdf9cdd3d2025-08-20T03:04:11ZengBMCJournal of Translational Medicine1479-58762025-07-0123111710.1186/s12967-025-06627-8The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatmentRui-Lin Yang0De-Zhi Zhao1Yi-Bing Yang2Han-Xiao Wei3Kang Yang4Yu-Jie Zhao5Wei-Hong Wan6Zu-Lin Liu7Yuan Feng8Qian Zhang9Tao Zhang10Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityDepartment of Human Anatomy, Zunyi Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityAbstract Vitiligo is a dermatological condition that affects millions of individuals globally and is frequently precipitated by damage to or dysfunction of melanocytes. Despite the availability of various therapeutic options, the management of vitiligo remains a significant challenge, underscoring the necessity for innovative treatment approaches. Currently, Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) have gained prominence as a therapeutic modality in the research of numerous diseases, owing to their remarkable paracrine effects, making them a promising strategy for immunomodulation and tissue repair. The downregulation of specific cytokines by MSCs has the potential to enhance the microenvironment of vitiligo lesions, thereby contributing to therapeutic outcomes. This article aims to review the immunologic pathogenesis of vitiligo, the involvement of certain cytokines in its pathogenesis, and the therapeutic potential of MSCs in the treatment of vitiligo. It is anticipated that this review will serve as a reference for future therapeutic strategies involving MSCs in the management of vitiligo.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06627-8VitiligoCytokinesMelanocytesKeratinocytesMesenchymal stromal/stem cells
spellingShingle Rui-Lin Yang
De-Zhi Zhao
Yi-Bing Yang
Han-Xiao Wei
Kang Yang
Yu-Jie Zhao
Wei-Hong Wan
Zu-Lin Liu
Yuan Feng
Qian Zhang
Tao Zhang
The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatment
Journal of Translational Medicine
Vitiligo
Cytokines
Melanocytes
Keratinocytes
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells
title The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatment
title_full The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatment
title_fullStr The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatment
title_full_unstemmed The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatment
title_short The immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in its treatment
title_sort immunological pathogenesis of vitiligo and the potential role of mesenchymal stromal stem cells in its treatment
topic Vitiligo
Cytokines
Melanocytes
Keratinocytes
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06627-8
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