Alopecia Areata as a Model for T Cell-Dependent Autoimmune Diseases

May 2012 in “ Experimental Dermatology ”

Marta Bertolini, Amos Gilhar, Ralf Paus

alopecia areata T cells autoimmune diseases immune mechanisms pathogenesis

Studysummary This article discusses alopecia areata as a potential model for studying T cell-dependent autoimmune diseases and reports no new experimental findings.

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

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

This study identified key genetic regions associated with alopecia areata, highlighting both acquired and innate immune involvement, with a novel link to the upregulation of ULBP ligands in autoimmune disease.

research Neuroendocrine Perspectives in Alopecia Areata: Does Stress Play a Role?

69 citations , May 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This research highlights that psychological stress can adversely affect hair growth in mice, implicating potential pathways that may be relevant in understanding stress-induced hair growth inhibition in humans.

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

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

This study suggests that human hair follicles may actively suppress natural killer cells, which contrasts with the observed defects in NK cell regulation in alopecia areata.

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

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

In this study, researchers found that substance P triggered premature catagen development and immune changes in human scalp hair follicles, providing a possible biological link between stress and hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium and alopecia areata.

research Lymphocytes, Neuropeptides, And Genes Involved In Alopecia Areata

286 citations , August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This review examines the interplay of genetics and neuroimmunology in alopecia areata, highlighting its potential to inform broader autoimmunity research, but reports no new findings.

research Mast Cell Deficient and Neurokinin-1 Receptor Knockout Mice Are Protected from Stress-Induced Hair Growth Inhibition

76 citations , March 2005 in “Journal of Molecular Medicine”

This study found that premature hair loss due to stress does not occur in NK-1 receptor knockout or mast cell deficient mice, suggesting a key role for neurokinin substance P and mast cell interaction in stress-related hair follicle changes.

research Eosinophils in Fibrous Tracts and Near Hair Bulbs: A Helpful Diagnostic Feature of Alopecia Areata

64 citations , July 1997 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that eosinophils are a useful diagnostic feature for alopecia areata, especially when the typical "swarm of bees" lymphoid infiltrate is absent, helping differentiate it from trichotillomania.