EGR1 Mediated Reduction of Fibroblast Secreted-TGF-β1 Exacerbated CD8 + T Cell Inflammation and Migration in Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a T cell-mediated depigment skin disease caused by the complex interplay between melanocyte dysfunction, environmental stimulation, and dysregulated immune signals. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which typically derives from regulatory T cells, has long been identified at low levels in the peripheral system of vitiligo patients. Here, through RNA-sequencing and transcription factor enrichment, we revealed that in response to CD8 + T cell-secreted interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), stromal fibroblast downregulates early growth response 1 (EGR1) activity, leading to TGF-β1 deficiency. The defective immune regulation loop further exacerbated local CD8 + T cell inflammation and promoted inflammatory cell migration in vitiligo. Thus, fibroblast-derived TGF-β1 plays an important stromal signal in vitiligo pathogenesis.