Transcriptome Analysis and Emerging Driver Identification of CD8+ T Cells in Patients with Vitiligo

Abstract EN

Activated CD8+ T cells play important roles in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

However, driving factors about the activation and migration of CD8+ T cells remain obscure.

In this study, we aim to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and uncover potential factors that drive the disease in melanocyte-specific CD8+ T cells in vitiligo.

A total of 1147 DEGs were found through transcriptome sequencing in CD8+ T cells from lesional skin of vitiligo patients and normal controls.

Based on KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and PPI, 16 upregulated and 23 downregulated genes were identified.

Ultimately, 3 genes were figured out after RT-qPCR verification.

The mRNA and protein expression levels of PIK3CB, HIF-1α, and F2RL1 were all elevated in CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood in vitiligo.

HIF-1α and PIK3CB were significantly increased in lesional skin of vitiligo.

Two CpG sites of the HIF-1α promoter were hypomethylated in vitiligo CD8+ T cells.

In conclusion, HIF-1α, F2RL1, and PIK3CB may act as novel drivers for vitiligo, which are all closely associated with reactive oxygen species and possibly contribute to the activation and/or migration of melanocyte-specific CD8+ T cells in vitiligo.

In addition, we uncovered a potential role for DNA hypomethylation of HIF-1α in CD8+ T cells of vitiligo.