Cell-Based Therapy May Be Effective In Alopecia Areata: Preclinical Evidence That Autologous, Peripheral Regulatory γdT Cells Are Preventive In Human Ex Vivo And Therapeutic In Human In Vivo Models

The study investigates the potential of autologous, peripheral regulatory γdT cells (γdTregs) as a treatment for alopecia areata (AA). Researchers cultured γdTregs from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tested their effects on human scalp hair follicles in both ex vivo and in vivo models. In vivo, γdTreg injections led to significant hair regrowth and restoration of hair follicle immune privilege in human scalp xenotransplants on mice. Ex vivo, γdTregs reduced premature catagen induction and immune privilege collapse, decreased AA-associated danger signals, and promoted hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation. These findings suggest that γdTregs have potent protective and therapeutic effects on AA-affected hair follicles, warranting further clinical exploration as a novel cell-based therapy for AA.