Evaluation of the Relationship Between Alopecia Areata and Viral Antigen Exposure

August 2017 in “ American journal of clinical dermatology ”

Christopher T. Richardson, Matthew S. Hayden, Elaine S. Gilmore, Brian Poligone

alopecia areata hepatitis B virus HBV interferon-beta IFN-β SLC45A2 MHC AA

TLDR Hepatitis B virus exposure may be linked to increased risk of alopecia areata.

The study investigated the link between hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen exposure and alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune hair loss condition. It identified two pediatric AA cases post-HBV vaccination and found an increased frequency of AA among those exposed to the HBV surface protein antigen (odds ratio 2.7, p < 0.0001) and those receiving interferon-beta (IFN-β) treatment (odds ratio 8.1, p < 0.05). The study suggested SLC45A2 as a potential antigenic target and indicated that a peptide fragment from the vaccine could bind to MHC relevant to AA. The findings pointed to associations between viral infection, IFN treatment, and AA, but further validation was needed.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers

70 citations, April 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

A patient with alopecia areata regrew hair after taking tofacitinib and showed changes in certain blood and skin markers.

research Rapid Skin Repigmentation on Oral Ruxolitinib in a Patient with Coexistent Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata

157 citations, December 2015 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

A man with vitiligo and alopecia saw quick skin and hair improvement with ruxolitinib, but skin color gains were lost after stopping treatment.

research Alopecia Areata Profiling Shows TH1, TH2, and IL-23 Cytokine Activation Without Parallel TH17/TH22 Skewing

176 citations, August 2015 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology”

Alopecia areata involves immune activation in the scalp, suggesting treatments targeting TH1, TH2, and IL-23 pathways.

research Reversal of Alopecia Areata Following Treatment With the JAK1/2 Inhibitor Baricitinib

184 citations, February 2015 in “EBioMedicine”

A patient with Alopecia Areata had complete hair regrowth after using the drug baricitinib.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations, August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

research Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

185 citations, June 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

A man with severe hair loss and skin disease regrew his hair with no side effects after taking tofacitinib.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations, April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Type 1 Interferon Signature in the Scalp Lesions of Alopecia Areata

52 citations, March 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata shows a unique type 1 interferon signature, suggesting potential treatment by targeting this pathway.

Lichen Planus and Other Cutaneous Manifestations in Chronic Hepatitis C: Pre- and Post-Interferon-Based Treatment Prevalence in a Cohort from a Low Hepatitis C Virus Endemic Area

research Lichen Planus and Other Cutaneous Manifestations in Chronic Hepatitis C: Pre- and Post-Interferon-Based Treatment Prevalence in a Cohort from a Low Hepatitis C Virus Endemic Area

34 citations, April 2008 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Skin problems like itching, dry skin, and hair loss are more common in hepatitis C patients after interferon treatment, but lichen planus is not linked to the infection.

Reversible Alopecia Universalis Secondary to PEG-Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

research Reversible Alopecia Universalis Secondary to PEG-Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

41 citations, August 2007 in “European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology”

A woman's total hair loss from hepatitis C treatment grew back after stopping the medication.

research Alopecia Areata During Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Therapy

35 citations, January 2002 in “Dermatology”

A woman's hair loss during treatment with specific hepatitis C drugs grew back after stopping the medication.

research Hair Loss After Routine Immunizations

87 citations, October 1997 in “JAMA”

Some vaccines might rarely cause hair loss, more research is needed.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Alopecia Areata and Viral Antigen Exposure

Research cited in this study

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers

research Rapid Skin Repigmentation on Oral Ruxolitinib in a Patient with Coexistent Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata

research Alopecia Areata Profiling Shows TH1, TH2, and IL-23 Cytokine Activation Without Parallel TH17/TH22 Skewing

research Reversal of Alopecia Areata Following Treatment With the JAK1/2 Inhibitor Baricitinib

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

research Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

research Type 1 Interferon Signature in the Scalp Lesions of Alopecia Areata

research Lichen Planus and Other Cutaneous Manifestations in Chronic Hepatitis C: Pre- and Post-Interferon-Based Treatment Prevalence in a Cohort from a Low Hepatitis C Virus Endemic Area

research Reversible Alopecia Universalis Secondary to PEG-Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

research Alopecia Areata During Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Therapy

research Hair Loss After Routine Immunizations

Related Community Posts Join

community Alopecia Areata Question

community mbp alopecia areata or vitamin deficiency

community Olumiant alternative for Alopecia Areata?

community Covid (likely) induced alopecia areata - now 2nd round of Covid, what can I expect?

community Onion Juice - An effective topical treatment for Alopecia Areata 🧬

community Nearly 40% of Adults with Alopecia Areata Taking OLUMIANT® 4-mg Saw at Least 80% Scalp Hair Coverage at 52 Weeks

Related Research

research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child