RIP1-Mediated Necroptosis Facilitates Oxidative Stress‒Induced Melanocyte Death, Offering Insight into Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common depigmentation disease characterized by melanocyte death, which is attributed to various mechanisms such as apoptosis and autoimmune destruction. However, whether necroptosis, a newly discovered way of cell death, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo is still elusive and has not been well-studied. In this study, we found that necroptosis markers, including phosphorylated RIP3 and phosphorylated-MLKL, were positive in melanocytes from vitiligo perilesional skin, which supported the existence of necroptosis in vitiligo. Furthermore, the expression of RIP1 was remarkably upregulated in melanocytes treated with hydrogen peroxide. Then, RIP1 intervention suppression and MLKL deficiency could significantly enhance the resistance of melanocytes to hydrogen peroxide‒induced necroptosis. Mechanistically, we confirmed that RIP1 and RIP3 could form necrosomes under oxidative stress and further trigger phosphorylated MLKL translocation to the cell membrane, which led to the destruction of melanocytes. Finally, we showed that RIP1-mediated generation of mitochondrial ROS contributed to necrosome formation in melanocytes. Collectively, our study confirms that necroptosis significantly facilitates oxidative stress‒induced melanocyte death through the RIP1 signaling pathway, offering insight into vitiligo.