Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genes

Background Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder marked by melanocyte destruction and skin depigmentation.Aim To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying melanogenesis and their link to vitiligo.Subjects and methods We analysed three vitiligo-related datasets, correcting for batch effects with ComBa...

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Main Authors: Binxi Ma, Xiao Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Annals of Human Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2025.2468692
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author Binxi Ma
Xiao Wang
author_facet Binxi Ma
Xiao Wang
author_sort Binxi Ma
collection DOAJ
description Background Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder marked by melanocyte destruction and skin depigmentation.Aim To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying melanogenesis and their link to vitiligo.Subjects and methods We analysed three vitiligo-related datasets, correcting for batch effects with ComBat. Key melanogenesis genes were pinpointed using LASSO and logistic regression, and a nomogram was developed. The immune microenvironment was evaluated by ssGSEA, and correlations between gene expression, melanogenesis pathways, and immune cell infiltration were examined.Results We identified 2,405 DEGs, with 960 up-regulated and 1,445 down-regulated genes in vitiligo samples. GSVA indicated significant disturbances in melanogenesis pathways. ssGSEA revealed reduced activity in REACTOME_MELANIN_BIOSYNTHESIS and KEGG_MELANOGENESIS pathways. Three key diagnostic genes (CALM2, KIT, OCA2) were found and used to build a highly accurate predictive nomogram. Immune cell analysis showed increased T helper and Th2 cells in vitiligo, correlating with both diagnostic genes and melanogenic pathways.Conclusion This study identifies crucial melanogenesis-related genes and provides a predictive model for vitiligo risk. It underscores the relationship between impaired melanogenesis and immune cell infiltration, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
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spelling doaj-art-d15b7daf23764a2190909237df239ad22025-08-20T03:47:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Human Biology0301-44601464-50332025-12-0152110.1080/03014460.2025.2468692Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genesBinxi Ma0Xiao Wang1Yulin Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yulin Hospital, Yulin, Shaanxi, ChinaDepartment of Dermatology, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an City, Shaanxi, ChinaBackground Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder marked by melanocyte destruction and skin depigmentation.Aim To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying melanogenesis and their link to vitiligo.Subjects and methods We analysed three vitiligo-related datasets, correcting for batch effects with ComBat. Key melanogenesis genes were pinpointed using LASSO and logistic regression, and a nomogram was developed. The immune microenvironment was evaluated by ssGSEA, and correlations between gene expression, melanogenesis pathways, and immune cell infiltration were examined.Results We identified 2,405 DEGs, with 960 up-regulated and 1,445 down-regulated genes in vitiligo samples. GSVA indicated significant disturbances in melanogenesis pathways. ssGSEA revealed reduced activity in REACTOME_MELANIN_BIOSYNTHESIS and KEGG_MELANOGENESIS pathways. Three key diagnostic genes (CALM2, KIT, OCA2) were found and used to build a highly accurate predictive nomogram. Immune cell analysis showed increased T helper and Th2 cells in vitiligo, correlating with both diagnostic genes and melanogenic pathways.Conclusion This study identifies crucial melanogenesis-related genes and provides a predictive model for vitiligo risk. It underscores the relationship between impaired melanogenesis and immune cell infiltration, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2025.2468692Immune cell infiltrationmelanogenesisnomogramssGSEAvitiligo
spellingShingle Binxi Ma
Xiao Wang
Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genes
Annals of Human Biology
Immune cell infiltration
melanogenesis
nomogram
ssGSEA
vitiligo
title Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genes
title_full Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genes
title_fullStr Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genes
title_full_unstemmed Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genes
title_short Unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo: a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis-related genes
title_sort unravelling the molecular mechanisms and immune landscape of vitiligo a comprehensive bioinformatics study on melanogenesis related genes
topic Immune cell infiltration
melanogenesis
nomogram
ssGSEA
vitiligo
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2025.2468692
work_keys_str_mv AT binxima unravellingthemolecularmechanismsandimmunelandscapeofvitiligoacomprehensivebioinformaticsstudyonmelanogenesisrelatedgenes
AT xiaowang unravellingthemolecularmechanismsandimmunelandscapeofvitiligoacomprehensivebioinformaticsstudyonmelanogenesisrelatedgenes