Frontiers in Alopecia Areata Pathobiology Research

October 2019 in “ The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology ”

Amos Gilhar, Rimma Laufer-Britva, Aviad Keren, Ralf Paus

alopecia areata CD8+ T cells natural killer cells NK cells unconventional T cells IFN-γ regulatory lymphocyte subsets hair follicle immune privilege immune privilege immunotherapies autoimmune disorders AA IP

TLDR The review suggests that other immune cells besides CD8+ T cells may contribute to alopecia areata and that targeting regulatory cell defects could improve treatment.

The review highlighted emerging areas in alopecia areata (AA) pathobiology, suggesting that CD8+ T cells were not the sole drivers of the disease. Instead, subsets of natural killer (NK) and unconventional T cells, which produced IFN-γ, might also have contributed independently of classical CD8+ T-cell functions. Additionally, regulatory lymphocyte subsets played a crucial role in maintaining hair follicle immune privilege (IP), and their dysfunction in AA patients could be a therapeutic target. The review emphasized the need for further research into these new players and mechanisms to develop innovative immunotherapies for AA and potentially other autoimmune disorders.

View this study on jacionline.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

41 / 41 results

research Apremilast and Tofacitinib Exert Differential Effects in the Humanized Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata

5 citations, June 2019 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib was more effective than apremilast in treating hair loss in a mouse model of alopecia areata.

research Possible Role of ILC1 in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

3 citations, April 2019 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

ILC1 cells contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata.

Alopecia Areata Is Characterized by Dysregulation in Systemic Type 17 and Type 2 Cytokines, Which May Contribute to Disease-Associated Psychological Morbidity

research Alopecia Areata Is Characterized by Dysregulation in Systemic Type 17 and Type 2 Cytokines, Which May Contribute to Disease-Associated Psychological Morbidity

57 citations, April 2019 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Alopecia areata involves immune system imbalances that may lead to depression and anxiety.

research Rethinking The Classification Of Alopecia Areata

13 citations, February 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The document concludes that a new system using the SALT score should replace the current alopecia areata classification for better accuracy in assessing severity and prognosis.

research New Drugs Under Investigation for the Treatment of Alopecias

26 citations, January 2019 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

New treatments for hair loss show promise, but more research is needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness.

research Tofacitinib Therapy for Children with Severe Alopecia Areata

39 citations, January 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib may help treat severe childhood alopecia areata, but risks require careful consideration.

research JAK Inhibitors and Alopecia Areata

56 citations, January 2019 in “Lancet”

JAK inhibitors help regrow hair in alopecia areata patients, improving their quality of life.

A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Single-Center Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Apremilast in Subjects with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

research A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Single-Center Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Apremilast in Subjects with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

42 citations, November 2018 in “Archives of dermatological research”

Apremilast was not effective in treating moderate-to-severe alopecia areata.

research Response to Ustekinumab in Three Pediatric Patients with Alopecia Areata

25 citations, October 2018 in “Pediatric dermatology”

Ustekinumab helped three kids with alopecia areata regrow hair.

research High-Throughput T Cell Receptor Sequencing Identifies Clonally Expanded CD8+ T Cell Populations in Alopecia Areata

46 citations, October 2018 in “JCI insight”

CD8+ T cells are involved in alopecia areata and may cause disease relapse.

research Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata

37 citations, September 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Ruxolitinib can help regrow hair in severe alopecia areata.

research JAK Inhibitors for Treatment of Alopecia Areata

63 citations, July 2018 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

JAK inhibitors can effectively reverse hair loss in people with alopecia areata.

research Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

100 citations, July 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have other health issues like skin diseases, metabolic syndrome, stomach infections, lupus, anemia, thyroid problems, mental health issues, vitamin D deficiency, and hearing and eye problems.

research Alopecia Areata and the Gut: The Link Opens Up for Novel Therapeutic Interventions

48 citations, May 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets”

Gut health may influence Alopecia Areata, suggesting new treatments.

research iNKT Cells Ameliorate Human Autoimmunity: Lessons from Alopecia Areata

27 citations, April 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

iNKT cells can help prevent and treat alopecia areata by promoting hair regrowth.

research Alopecia Areata After Dupilumab for Atopic Dermatitis

53 citations, January 2018 in “JAAD case reports”

Dupilumab for eczema may cause hair loss.

research Novel Therapies for Alopecia Areata: The Era of Rational Drug Development

9 citations, December 2017 in “The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology”

New targeted therapies for hair loss from alopecia areata show promise, with personalized treatment expected in the future.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Revisited: The Key to Alopecia Areata Management

102 citations, December 2017 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

Restoring hair bulb immune privilege is crucial for managing alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations, December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

research Safety and Efficacy of the JAK Inhibitor Tofacitinib Citrate in Patients with Alopecia Areata

222 citations, September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Tofacitinib is safe and effective for severe alopecia areata, but hair loss may return 2 months after stopping treatment.

research Successful Hair Regrowth in an Acute Diffuse Form of Alopecia Areata During Oral Tacrolimus Treatment in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis

8 citations, August 2016 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Oral tacrolimus helped a rheumatoid arthritis patient regrow hair lost due to alopecia areata.

research ULBP3: A Marker for Alopecia Areata Incognita

15 citations, May 2016 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

ULBP3 could be a marker for diagnosing alopecia areata incognita and may be linked to its cause and development.

research Gamma Delta T Cells as Novel Players in Alopecia Areata Pathobiology: Vdelta1 Positive T Lymphocytes May Recognize Stressed Hair Follicle Keratinocytes, Leading to IFN Gamma-Dependent Hair Follicle Dystrophy and Immune Privilege Collapse

1 citations, April 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Targeting specific T cells may help treat alopecia areata.

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Whose Receptor-Mediated Signaling May Be Defective in Alopecia Areata, Provides Protection from Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Collapse

research Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Whose Receptor-Mediated Signaling May Be Defective in Alopecia Areata, Provides Protection from Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Collapse

36 citations, April 2016 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

A substance called VIP might protect hair follicles from being attacked by the immune system, and problems with VIP signaling could lead to hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Animal Models Illuminate Autoimmune Pathogenesis and Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategies

82 citations, March 2016 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

Animal models have helped understand hair loss from alopecia areata and find new treatments.

research Laser Capture Microdissection Reveals Transcriptional Abnormalities In Alopecia Areata Before, During, And After Active Hair Loss

16 citations, December 2015 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Alopecia areata involves persistent gene abnormalities and immune activity, even in regrown hair, suggesting a risk of relapse.

research Biomarkers of Alopecia Areata Disease Activity and Response to Corticosteroid Treatment

65 citations, December 2015 in “Experimental dermatology”

Corticosteroid treatment reduces inflammation and alters hair keratins in alopecia areata.

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 Imbalance of T-Helper 17 and Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Alopecia Areata

62 citations, June 2015 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata have more Th17 cells and fewer Treg cells, which may be key to the condition's development.

research Diagnostic Usefulness of a Peribulbar Eosinophilic Infiltrate in Alopecia Areata

19 citations, September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Eosinophilic infiltrate is not a reliable indicator for diagnosing chronic alopecia areata.

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 Mechanisms Regulating Skin Immunity and Inflammation

610 citations, April 2014 in “Nature Reviews Immunology”

The document concludes that understanding how the skin's immune system and inflammation work is complex and requires more research to improve treatments for skin diseases.

research Hair Follicle Mesenchyme-Associated PD-L1 Regulates T-Cell Activation Induced Apoptosis: A Potential Mechanism of Immune Privilege

53 citations, September 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair follicle cells help protect against immune attacks by regulating T-cell activity.

research Birth, Life, and Death of the MAGE3 Hypothesis of Alopecia Areata Pathobiology

12 citations, August 2013 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

The MAGE3 hypothesis for alopecia areata did not lead to a significant breakthrough.

research Autoimmune Disease Induction in a Healthy Human Organ: A Humanized Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata

75 citations, October 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Alopecia areata can be triggered by specific immune cells without genetic or environmental factors.

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 Can the Hair Follicle Become a Model for Studying Selected Aspects of Human Ocular Immune Privilege?

21 citations, June 2011 in “Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science”

Hair follicles could help develop eye treatments by studying immune responses.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations, June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

research Maintenance of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Is Linked to Prevention of NK Cell Attack

253 citations, December 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair follicles prevent NK cell attacks to avoid hair loss.

research Probing the Effects of Stress Mediators on the Human Hair Follicle

159 citations, December 2007 in “American Journal of Pathology”

Stress-related substance P may lead to hair loss and negatively affect hair growth.

research Failure to Induce Alopecia Areata in C3H/HeJ Mice with Exogenous Interferon Gamma

13 citations, December 2006 in “Journal of experimental animal science”

Interferon gamma alone can't cause alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice.

Related Research

6 / 6 results

research Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

October 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica (Print)”

People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.

research Oxidative Stress and Alopecia Areata

3 citations, June 2023 in “Frontiers in medicine”

Oxidative stress may contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata and antioxidants could potentially help as a treatment.

research Current Status of Treatments for Alopecia Areata

November 2014

No cure exists for alopecia areata; treatments aim to manage symptoms.

research The Role of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Collapse in Alopecia Areata: Status and Perspectives

79 citations, December 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Alopecia areata may be treated by restoring hair follicle immune privilege and adjusting immune responses.

research Familial Aggregation of Alopecia Areata

295 citations, January 2006 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune hair loss condition, often runs in families.

research Alopecia Areata: A Tissue-Specific Autoimmune Disease of the Hair Follicle

185 citations, August 2005 in “Autoimmunity Reviews”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss due to the immune system attacking hair follicles, often influenced by genetics and stress.