Alopecia areata: A multifactorial autoimmune condition
March 2019
in “Journal of autoimmunity”
TLDR Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease characterized by patchy hair loss that can escalate to complete baldness of the scalp or entire body, is associated with significant psychological distress for patients. The condition involves lymphocytic infiltration around hair follicles and the presence of IFN-γ and IgG antibodies targeting hair follicle cells. It often co-occurs with other autoimmune disorders and may be triggered by infections or inflammation. Despite increased understanding, the precise causes and mechanisms of alopecia areata remain unclear. The review discusses genetic and environmental factors contributing to autoimmunity and the immune responses that result in hair loss in those affected by the disease.
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Cited in this study
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Topical JAK inhibitors may help treat alopecia universalis by promoting hair regrowth.
research Balance of tofacitinib efficacy and disease flare in the treatment of alopecia universalis: A case report and review of the literature
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research Role of janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of alopecia areata
Janus kinase inhibitors show promise in treating alopecia areata but need better topical formulations.
research Emerging drugs for alopecia areata: JAK inhibitors
JAK inhibitors may soon be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.
research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Revisited: The Key to Alopecia Areata Management
Restoring hair bulb immune privilege is crucial for managing alopecia areata.
research Effective use of ustekinumab in a patient with concomitant psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata
research Efficacy of topical tofacitinib in promoting hair growth in non-scarring alopecia: possible mechanism via VEGF induction
Topical tofacitinib may grow hair better than minoxidil by increasing VEGF and reducing inflammation.
research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Tofacitinib
Tofacitinib helped regrow hair in people with severe alopecia, but side effects occurred and benefits stopped after treatment ended.
research Persistently curly hair phenotype with the use of nivolumab for squamous cell lung cancer
A cancer patient's hair became permanently curly after treatment with nivolumab.
research Exploring the “brain-skin connection”: Leads and lessons from the hair follicle
Hair follicles on the scalp interact with and respond to the nervous system, influencing their own behavior and growth.
research Oral ruxolitinib induces hair regrowth in patients with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata
Ruxolitinib effectively regrows hair in most patients with severe hair loss.
research Treatment of an alopecia areata patient with tofacitinib results in regrowth of hair and changes in serum and skin biomarkers
A patient with alopecia areata regrew hair after taking tofacitinib and showed changes in certain blood and skin markers.
research Stress-related skin disorders
Stress can worsen skin conditions by affecting hormone levels and immune response.
research Clinical Efficacy of Diphenylcyclopropenone in Alopecia Areata: Retrospective Data Analysis of 50 Patients
Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) can help regrow hair in many alopecia areata patients but may cause side effects and relapses.
research Pharmacologic inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling promotes hair growth
Blocking JAK-STAT signaling can lead to hair growth.
research Imbalance of T‐helper 17 and regulatory T cells in patients with alopecia areata
People with alopecia areata have more Th17 cells and fewer Treg cells, which may be key to the condition's development.
research Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in alopecia areata: missing link?
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are a key factor in causing hair loss in alopecia areata and could help differentiate it from other hair loss conditions.
research Alopecia areata is driven by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and is reversed by JAK inhibition
Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.
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There are no FDA-approved treatments for Alopecia Areata, and current options have varying success and relapse rates.
research Overview of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a genetic and immune-related hair loss condition that is often associated with other autoimmune diseases and does not typically cause permanent damage to hair follicles.
research The Safety and Efficacy of Diphencyprone for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children
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research Type 1 interferon signature in the scalp lesions of alopecia areata
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research Topical immunotherapy in alopecia areata
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research Probing the Effects of Stress Mediators on the Human Hair Follicle
Stress-related substance P may lead to hair loss and negatively affect hair growth.
research Experimental Induction of Alopecia Areata-Like Hair Loss in C3H/HeJ Mice Using Full-Thickness Skin Grafts
Skin grafts on mice can cause an immune response leading to hair loss, useful for studying human hair loss conditions.
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