Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation

Abstract. Background:. Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and interferon γ (IFNγ)-driven cellular immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the connection between oxidative stress and the local production of IFNγ in early vitiligo remains unexplore...

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Main Authors: Zhikai Liao, Yunzhu Yao, Bingqi Dong, Yue Le, Longfei Luo, Fang Miao, Shan Jiang, Tiechi Lei, Lishao Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2025-06-01
Series:Chinese Medical Journal
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003173
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author Zhikai Liao
Yunzhu Yao
Bingqi Dong
Yue Le
Longfei Luo
Fang Miao
Shan Jiang
Tiechi Lei
Lishao Guo
author_facet Zhikai Liao
Yunzhu Yao
Bingqi Dong
Yue Le
Longfei Luo
Fang Miao
Shan Jiang
Tiechi Lei
Lishao Guo
author_sort Zhikai Liao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. Background:. Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and interferon γ (IFNγ)-driven cellular immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the connection between oxidative stress and the local production of IFNγ in early vitiligo remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the production of IFNγ by mast cells and its impact on vitiligo pathogenesis. Methods:. Skin specimens from the central, marginal, and perilesional skin areas of active vitiligo lesions were collected to characterize changes of mast cells, CD8+ T cells, and IFNγ-producing cells. Cell supernatants from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-treated keratinocytes (KCs) were harvested to measure levels of soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. A murine vitiligo model was established using Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-B2 (MrgB2, mouse ortholog of human MrgX2) conditional knockout (MrgB2−/−) mice to investigate IFNγ production and inflammatory cell infiltrations in tail skin following the challenge with tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp)-2 180 peptide. Potential interactions between the Tyrp-2 180 peptide and MrgX2 were predicted using molecular docking. The siRNAs targeting MrgX2 and the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 were also used to examine the signaling pathways involved in mast cell activation. Results:. IFNγ-producing mast cells were closely aligned with the recruitment of CD8+ T cells in the early phase of vitiligo skin. sSCF released by KCs through stress-enhanced MMP9-dependent proteolytic cleavage recruited mast cells into sites of inflamed skin (Perilesion vs. lesion, 13.00 ± 4.00/high-power fields [HPF] vs. 26.60 ± 5.72/HPF, P <0.05). Moreover, IFNγ-producing mast cells were also observed in mouse tail skin following challenge with Tyrp-2 180 (0 h vs. 48 h post-recall, 0/HPF vs. 3.80 ± 1.92/HPF, P <0.05). The IFNγ+ mast cell and CD8+ T cell counts were lower in the skin of MrgB2−/−mice than in those of wild-type mice (WT vs. KO 48 h post-recall, 4.20 ± 0.84/HPF vs. 0.80 ± 0.84/HPF, P <0.05). Conclusion:. Mast cells activated by MrgX2 serve as a local IFNγ producer that bridges between innate and adaptive immune responses against MCs in early vitiligo. Targeting MrgX2-mediated mast cell activation may represent a new strategy for treating vitiligo.
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spelling doaj-art-8d467d8904d044919a920a3e6d1e8b742025-08-20T03:10:07ZengWolters KluwerChinese Medical Journal0366-69992542-56412025-06-01138111367137810.1097/CM9.0000000000003173202506050-00010Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activationZhikai Liao0Yunzhu Yao1Bingqi Dong2Yue Le3Longfei Luo4Fang Miao5Shan Jiang6Tiechi Lei7Lishao GuoDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, ChinaAbstract. Background:. Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and interferon γ (IFNγ)-driven cellular immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the connection between oxidative stress and the local production of IFNγ in early vitiligo remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the production of IFNγ by mast cells and its impact on vitiligo pathogenesis. Methods:. Skin specimens from the central, marginal, and perilesional skin areas of active vitiligo lesions were collected to characterize changes of mast cells, CD8+ T cells, and IFNγ-producing cells. Cell supernatants from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-treated keratinocytes (KCs) were harvested to measure levels of soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. A murine vitiligo model was established using Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-B2 (MrgB2, mouse ortholog of human MrgX2) conditional knockout (MrgB2−/−) mice to investigate IFNγ production and inflammatory cell infiltrations in tail skin following the challenge with tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp)-2 180 peptide. Potential interactions between the Tyrp-2 180 peptide and MrgX2 were predicted using molecular docking. The siRNAs targeting MrgX2 and the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 were also used to examine the signaling pathways involved in mast cell activation. Results:. IFNγ-producing mast cells were closely aligned with the recruitment of CD8+ T cells in the early phase of vitiligo skin. sSCF released by KCs through stress-enhanced MMP9-dependent proteolytic cleavage recruited mast cells into sites of inflamed skin (Perilesion vs. lesion, 13.00 ± 4.00/high-power fields [HPF] vs. 26.60 ± 5.72/HPF, P <0.05). Moreover, IFNγ-producing mast cells were also observed in mouse tail skin following challenge with Tyrp-2 180 (0 h vs. 48 h post-recall, 0/HPF vs. 3.80 ± 1.92/HPF, P <0.05). The IFNγ+ mast cell and CD8+ T cell counts were lower in the skin of MrgB2−/−mice than in those of wild-type mice (WT vs. KO 48 h post-recall, 4.20 ± 0.84/HPF vs. 0.80 ± 0.84/HPF, P <0.05). Conclusion:. Mast cells activated by MrgX2 serve as a local IFNγ producer that bridges between innate and adaptive immune responses against MCs in early vitiligo. Targeting MrgX2-mediated mast cell activation may represent a new strategy for treating vitiligo.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003173
spellingShingle Zhikai Liao
Yunzhu Yao
Bingqi Dong
Yue Le
Longfei Luo
Fang Miao
Shan Jiang
Tiechi Lei
Lishao Guo
Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation
Chinese Medical Journal
title Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation
title_full Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation
title_fullStr Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation
title_full_unstemmed Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation
title_short Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation
title_sort involvement of interferon γ producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires mas related g protein coupled receptor x2 activation
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003173
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