IL-12/IL-23 independent function of Batf3-dependent dendritic cells is required for initiation of disease in a mouse model of vitiligo

Vitiligo is an IFN- ɣ-dependent autoimmune skin disease that causes depigmentation, and we used a mouse model of vitiligo to investigate the role of the Batf3 transcription factor in disease. Batf3 is required for the survival of a small subset of dendritic cells (DCs) known as type 1 classical DCs (cDC1) (identifiabl e in mice by CD103 and CD8a expression), which are primarily found within epithelial tissues and associated lymph nodes where they provide crucial contributions to pathogen defense, tumor surveillance, and peripheral inflammation.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: research