The Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Vitiligo: A Culprit for Melanocyte Death

Figure 2

Oxidative stress of melanocytes in vitiligo and its association with multiple cell death modes. Oxidative stress is caused by endogenous and exogenous stimuli that induce melanocytes to produce excessive ROS. Oxidative stress results in various changes of biomolecules, organelles, and keratinocytes, which may ultimately lead to melanocyte apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and other cell death modes and induce immune responses. Different forms of cell death may be closely related and promote skin depigmentation through their combined effects. ROS: reactive oxygen species; OX: oxidative stress; UPR: unfolded protein action; Nrf2: nuclear factor E2-related factor 2; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; DAMPs: damage-related molecular pattern; GPX4: glutathione peroxidase 4; p62: sequestosome 1/SQSTM1; HO-1: heme oxygenase-1; CAT: catalase; SOD: superoxide dismutase; GSH: glutathione; System Xc^-: systeine glutamate antiporter; ARE: antioxidant response element.