Skin-resident memory T cells as a potential new therapeutic target in vitiligo and melanoma

Abstract

Tissue-resident memory T (T_RM ) cells are abundant in the memory T cell pool and remain resident in peripheral tissues, such as the skin, where they act as alarm sensors or cytotoxic killers. T_RM cells persist long after the pathogen is eliminated and can respond rapidly upon reinfection with the same antigen. When aberrantly activated, skin-located T_RM cells have a profound role in various skin disorders, including vitiligo and melanoma. Autoreactive T_RM cells are present in human lesional vitiligo skin and mouse models of vitiligo, which suggests that targeting these cells could be effective as a durable treatment strategy for vitiligo. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that induction of melanoma-reactive T_RM cells is needed to achieve effective protection against tumor growth. This review highlights seminal reports about skin-resident T cells, focusing mainly on their role in the context of vitiligo and melanoma, as well as their potential as therapeutic targets in both diseases.

Keywords: T lymphocytes; autoimmunity; immunology; immunotherapy; melanoma; vitiligo.