GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY, MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX ASSOCIATIONS, AND REGULATORY T-LYMPHOCYTE FAILURE IN THE ADAPTIVE AUTOIMMUNE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF VITILIGO

Abstract

This investigation characterizes the genetic immunological architecture underlying adaptive autoimmune melanocyte destruction in vitiligo, focusing on major histocompatibility complex class one and class two allelic associations, deficient regulatory T-lymphocyte suppressive function, and antigen-specific CD8+ effector expansion. Combining genome-wide association data, ex vivo lymphocyte functional assays, and transcriptomic profiling, the study delineates the heritable immunological vulnerabilities that convert oxidative melanocyte injury into sustained self-perpetuating autoimmunity.