Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming in the Pathogenesis of Vitiligo: A Narrative Review

Recent studies have highlighted the role of lipid metabolic reprogramming in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, a common autoimmune skin disease characterized by acquired depigmentation. Patients with vitiligo exhibit alterations in fatty acid metabolism, dysregulation of lipid metabolism–related proteins, and increased lipid oxidative stress. Abnormal lipid metabolism may also promote disease progression by modulating the immune microenvironment. Concurrently, immune cell dysfunction and aberrant cytokine secretion impair keratinocyte function, thereby exacerbating melanocyte destruction. This review systematically examines lipid metabolic reprogramming in vitiligo, its defining features, and its relevance to disease pathogenesis, offering a novel perspective on the underlying mechanisms. By analyzing key aspects of lipid metabolic reprogramming, this review highlights the pivotal role of lipid metabolism in vitiligo onset and progression; it provides a theoretical framework to guide future research.