Biomarkers Quantifying Changes in the Hair Follicular Extracellular Matrix Are Elevated in Patients with Alopecia

This study investigated the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in alopecia by analyzing serum biomarkers in 23 patients with non-scarring alopecia and 20 healthy controls. The results showed significantly higher levels of type II collagen formation (PRO-C3) and elastin degradation (ELA-HNE) in alopecia patients, suggesting increased ECM remodeling associated with hair loss. However, no differences were observed in citrullinated vimentin (VICM) and S100A9 degradation (CPa9-HNE) between the groups. These findings indicate that ECM changes, such as increased collagen formation and elastin degradation, may contribute to alopecia and could serve as objective biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring.