Alopecia Areata: Autoimmune Nature, Genetic Associations, and Treatments

August 2005 in “ Springer eBooks ”

Pia Freyschmidt‐Paul, Kevin J. McElwee, Rolf Hoffmann

alopecia areata autoimmune genetic associations intralesional triamcinolone acetonide topical minoxidil PUVA therapy HLA antigens cytokines T lymphocytes triamcinolone Rogaine psoralen and ultraviolet A

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease with genetic links, treatable with certain medications, and can affect mental health.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviewed various studies and clinical observations related to alopecia areata, highlighting its autoimmune nature and genetic associations. It discussed treatments such as intralesional triamcinolone acetonide, topical minoxidil, and PUVA therapy, and noted the involvement of HLA antigens and cytokines in the disease's pathogenesis. The document also mentioned the occurrence of alopecia areata in families and its association with other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease and Down syndrome. Additionally, it referenced the psychological impact of alopecia areata and the role of T lymphocytes in mediating the condition.

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Research cited in this study

41 / 41 results

research Topical Treatment of Extended Alopecia

17 citations , October 2009 in “Dermatology”

This study reported that ultraviolet light treatment from a Kromayer lamp stimulated hair growth in four out of six patients with alopecia, whereas intralesional triamcinolone acetonide had a mixed effect.

research Intralesional Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Triamcinolone Acetonide by Jet Injector

100 citations , July 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections using a needleless injector led to rapid hair regrowth in patients with limited alopecia areata, while lasting growth was rare in alopecia totalis.

research Alopecia Areata in C3H/HeJ Mice Involves Leukocyte-Mediated Root Sheath Disruption in Advance of Overt Hair Loss

37 citations , November 2003 in “Veterinary pathology”

This study showed that in C3H/HeJ mice, focal follicular inflammation starts before overt hair loss, with inflammation severity possibly reaching a threshold causing hair follicle dystrophy prior to visible hair loss.

research Characterization of Hair Follicle Antigens Targeted by the Anti-Hair Follicle Immune Response

148 citations , September 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder causing hair loss, linked to specific hair follicle antigens and genetic factors.

research Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Under Occlusion in the Treatment of Alopecia Totalis/Universalis

146 citations , July 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment was found to induce hair regrowth in 28.5% of patients with severe alopecia areata under occlusive conditions, though long-term benefit was limited to 17.8%.

research PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Totalis and Universalis: A Retrospective Study

39 citations , April 2003 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

This study found that PUVA treatment resulted in complete hair regrowth in over half of patients with alopecia areata totalis or universalis, despite a higher treatment failure rate in those with a family history of the condition.

research Dietary Soy Oil Content and Soy-Derived Phytoestrogen Genistein Increase Resistance to Alopecia Areata Onset in C3H/HeJ Mice

61 citations , February 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that increasing dietary soy oil content reduced alopecia areata development in C3H/HeJ mice, though genistein injection showed no significant effect.

research Gene Array Profiling and Immunomodulation Studies Define a Cell-Mediated Immune Response Underlying the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata in a Mouse Model and Humans

114 citations , August 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is caused by an immune response, and targeting immune cells might help treat it.

research Alopecia Areata: Animal Models

69 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This review discusses rodent models of alopecia areata and highlights genetic and epigenetic factors influencing its development, but reports no new experimental results.

research Transient CD44 Variant Isoform Expression and Reduction in CD4+/CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in C3H/HeJ Mice with Alopecia Areata

77 citations , June 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

CD44 variant changes start alopecia areata, but don't maintain it.

research Melanocyte and Gonad Activity as Potential Severity Modifying Factors in C3H/HeJ Mouse Alopecia Areata

30 citations , December 2001 in “Experimental dermatology”

This study found that gonadal steroid hormones influence alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice, with estradiol promoting progression and dihydrotestosterone conferring resistance to disease onset.

research Current and Potential Agents for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

41 citations , February 2001 in “Current pharmaceutical design”

This review discusses current and potential treatments for alopecia areata, focusing on immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory approaches, but provides no new clinical results.

research Role of Cytotoxic T Cells in Chronic Alopecia Areata

127 citations , January 2000 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic mechanisms, specifically involving granzyme B and Fas pathways, are associated with chronic alopecia areata, indicating their potential role in the disease's persistence.

research Experimental Induction of Alopecia Areata-Like Hair Loss in C3H/HeJ Mice Using Full-Thickness Skin Grafts

131 citations , November 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study observed that alopecia areata can be induced and serially transferred in C3H/HeJ mice using skin grafts, providing a useful model for studying the disease in humans.

research Treatment of Widespread Alopecia Areata in Young Patients with Monthly Oral Corticosteroid Pulse

48 citations , July 1998 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

This study found that pulsed doses of prednisolone led to excellent hair growth in 60% of young patients with widespread alopecia areata, with minimal side effects.

research Comparison of Alopecia Areata in Human and Nonhuman Mammalian Species

71 citations , January 1998 in “Pathobiology”

This review discusses the use of animal models to study alopecia areata and reports no new experimental results, emphasizing the potential for these models to explore the disease's genetics and treatment.

research Autoantibodies to Hair Follicles in C3H/HeJ Mice With Alopecia Areata-Like Hair Loss

72 citations , September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Genetic Control of Cytokines

23 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic clinics”

This review discusses genomic and postgenomic alterations in chronic degenerative diseases and potential modulation by dietary and pharmacological agents, reporting no new clinical results.

research The Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

89 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This review discusses androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata through a systems biology lens, emphasizing the role of multi-omics data integration to explore molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies, but offers no new clinical results.

research Pulsed Administration of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

117 citations , February 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that monthly oral prednisolone pulses of 300 mg were effective and safe for treating widespread alopecia areata, with 58.3% of patients achieving cosmetically acceptable hair growth.

research PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Partialis, Totalis, and Universalis: Audit of 10 Years' Experience at St John's Institute of Dermatology

105 citations , December 1995 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This retrospective study concluded that PUVA treatment is generally ineffective for alopecia areata, with low effective success rates for partialis, totalis, and universalis types.

research Alopecia Areata in Korea (1982–1994)

46 citations , November 1995 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that immunotherapy with DNCB or DPCP showed better therapeutic effects than intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for patients with bald areas greater than 50 cm², including alopecia totalis and universalis.

research Alopecia Areata in Aging C3H/HeJ Mice

178 citations , June 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that a non-scarring alopecia in C3H/HeJ mice resembles human alopecia areata and may serve as a valuable model for studying specific subtypes of the human condition.

research Profile of Alopecia Areata: A Questionnaire Analysis of Patients and Families

161 citations , March 1992 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study analyzed survey responses from 800 alopecia areata patients and found a possible genetic association with increased insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in relatives but not in the patients themselves.

research Failure of Passive Transfer of Serum From Patients With Alopecia Areata and Alopecia Universalis to Inhibit Hair Growth in Transplants of Human Scalp Skin Grafted Onto Nude Mice

60 citations , February 1992 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, serum from patients with alopecia areata or universalis did not affect hair growth in transplanted scalp skin grafts on nude mice, despite increased deposition of immunoreactants.

research Alopecia Areata in Children: Response to Treatment with Diphencyprone

84 citations , August 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that 67% of children treated with diphencyprone for alopecia areata or alopecia totalis regrew scalp hair, with 33% achieving complete regrowth.

research Juvenile Versus Maturity-Onset Alopecia Areata: A Comparative Retrospective Clinical Study

164 citations , November 1989 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This retrospective study found that juvenile alopecia areata is more severe and has a worse prognosis than maturity-onset alopecia areata.

research Extensive Alopecia Areata: Results of Treatment with 3% Topical Minoxidil

36 citations , March 1989 in “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine”

3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata.

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata

104 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.

research Topical Minoxidil (3%) in Extensive Alopecia Areata, Including Long-Term Efficacy

54 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, 3% topical minoxidil showed some efficacy in hair regrowth for patients with extensive alopecia areata, especially those with less than total scalp hair loss, but did not lead to complete remission.

research A Trial of 1% Minoxidil Used Topically for Severe Alopecia Areata

37 citations , March 1986 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

In this study, there was no significant difference in hair growth between patients with extensive alopecia areata treated with 1% minoxidil and those receiving a placebo.

research Topical Photochemotherapy for Alopecia Areata

63 citations , April 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that topical PUVA treatment led to excellent or good hair regrowth in 45.4% of patients with alopecia areata, though many experienced relapse after treatment stopped.

research Topical Minoxidil for Extended Alopecia Areata

17 citations , March 1985 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

This study found that 1% topical minoxidil led to an increase in terminal hair growth in some individuals with alopecia areata, but only one case showed cosmetically satisfying results.

research Topical Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth

80 citations , September 1984 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, 5% topical minoxidil was observed to promote hair regrowth in some patients with androgenic alopecia, while no regrowth was noted in patients with alopecia areata.

research Immunohistochemical and Electron Microscopic Characterization of the Cellular Infiltrate in Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

78 citations , July 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Alopecia Areata Treated With Topical Minoxidil

16 citations , April 1984 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that 1% minoxidil topical solution led to terminal hair regrowth in 25 out of 48 patients with alopecia areata, but only 11 patients achieved cosmetically acceptable results.

Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata