Regulatory T cells in vitiligo: a review of functional disequilibrium between peripheral blood and lesional tissue
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By
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Ye Qiu
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Yurong He
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Fang Liu
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May 18, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Imbalance of Regulatory T Cells in Vitiligo: An Overview of Their Function in Peripheral Blood Versus Affected Skin Tissue
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | |
| Key Mechanisms | CD8+ T cell-mediated melanocyte destruction, dysregulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and Th1 polarization. |
| Target Population | |
| Care Setting | |
Key Highlights
- Reduced Treg frequency and impaired function in peripheral blood of vitiligo patients.
- Decreased tissue-resident Treg subsets in lesional skin.
- Dysregulation leads to insufficient suppression of autoreactive CD8+ T cells.
- Therapeutic options include NB-UVB, JAK inhibitors, and low-dose IL-2.
- Emerging Treg subsets may serve as biomarkers for treatment response, highlighting their potential role in personalized therapy.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Assess Treg frequency and function in peripheral blood and lesional skin using established diagnostic criteria.
Management
- Consider Treg-targeted therapies and immunosuppressive treatments tailored to individual patient profiles.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Risks
Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals diagnosed with vitiligo
Targeted therapies may restore immune balance and improve clinical outcomes
Clinical Best Practices
- Monitor Treg levels and function regularly in vitiligo patients.
- Utilize a combination of therapies for optimal management.
- Incorporate emerging biomarkers in treatment strategies and emphasize individualized treatment plans.
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