The Autoimmune Basis of Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review

October 2014 in “ Autoimmunity reviews ”

Naseeha Islam, Patrick S.C. Leung, Arthur C. Huntley, M. Eric Gershwin

alopecia areata autoimmune responses hair follicle CD8+ T-cells intralesional corticosteroids genetic predispositions environmental factors AA steroids

TLDR Alopecia areata is caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss disorder with a prevalence of 0.1%-0.2% worldwide, affecting individuals regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. The etiology of AA is not fully understood but is believed to involve genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and autoimmune responses, particularly the destruction of the hair follicle immune privilege site by CD8+ T-cells. Clinical features of AA vary widely, making diagnosis challenging. Treatment options are limited, with intralesional corticosteroids being relatively effective for mild cases, while severe forms remain difficult to treat. AA can cause significant psychological distress, and ongoing research aims to better understand and manage this condition.

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Research cited in this study

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Alopecia areata is caused by immune system attacks on hair follicles, often triggered by viral infections.

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The document concludes that alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease without a definitive cure, but treatments like corticosteroids are commonly used.

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218 citations , April 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Guidelines suggest various treatments for alopecia areata, but leaving it untreated is also an option as 80% cases may recover on their own.

research Advances in the Management of Alopecia Areata

51 citations , December 2011 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

New treatments for severe hair loss often fail, but some patients see hair regrowth with specific therapies, and treatment should be tailored to the individual's situation.

research Genetic Association of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 Polymorphisms with Alopecia Areata in the Italian Population

35 citations , June 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

The DQB1*03 allele is linked to higher alopecia areata risk in Italians.

Transcriptional Profiling in Alopecia Areata Defines Immune and Cell Cycle Control Related Genes Within Disease-Specific Signatures

research Transcriptional Profiling in Alopecia Areata Defines Immune and Cell Cycle Control Related Genes Within Disease-Specific Signatures

61 citations , September 2010 in “Genomics”

The study found that immune responses disrupt hair growth cycles, causing hair loss in alopecia areata.

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717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

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391 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

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

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

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.

research Alopecia in the United States: Outpatient Utilization and Common Prescribing Patterns

46 citations , July 2007 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes significant emotional distress, including high rates of depression and anxiety.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

151 citations , February 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.

research Genomewide Scan for Linkage Reveals Evidence of Several Susceptibility Loci for Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2007 in “The American Journal of Human Genetics”

Certain genes on chromosomes 6, 10, 16, and 18 may increase the risk of alopecia areata.

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.

research Autoimmunity: Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing hair loss, treatable with immune-modulating drugs, and linked to genetics.

Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

research Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

194 citations , March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology”

Stress stops hair growth in mice by causing early hair growth phase end and harmful inflammation through a specific nerve-related pathway.

research The Pattern and Profile of Alopecia Areata in Singapore: A Study of 219 Asians

275 citations , November 2002 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata mainly affects young people and has significant psychological impacts, especially in males.

research Persistent Depigmented Regrowth After Alopecia Areata

23 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Depigmented hair regrowth after alopecia areata can be permanent.

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370 citations , September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

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89 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Alopecia areata is likely caused by a combination of genetic factors and immune system dysfunction, and may represent different diseases with various causes.

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122 citations , April 1995 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

The document describes how to tell different types of non-scarring hair loss apart by looking at hair and scalp tissue under a microscope.

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

Alopecia areata in these mice is inherited, more common in young females, and can be treated with triamcinolone acetonide.

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