Fig. 1

Summary schematic of the hallmarks of MITF intersection with the immune system at the transcriptional level. MITF, which is associated with melanoma cell differentiation, controls antigen expression and processing. By regulating the expression of DNA repair enzymes, MITF might be involved in neoantigen formation. MITF also reduces inflammatory molecule secretion and tumor heterogeneity, resulting in enhanced T cell recognition and immunosurveillance. By contrast, MITF, through HVEM, which prevents an efficient immune response, through MET upregulation which attracts neutrophils, and through reduced expression of IRF4 which dampens B cell maturation, may favor the immunosuppression. BTLA, B- and T-Lymphocyte Attenuator; CCL, Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand; HGF, Hepatocyte Growth Factor; IFN, Interferon; IL, interleukin; IRF, interferon regulatory factor; MC, melanocyte; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha; TYR, tyrosinase