Changes in Populations of HLA-DR+CD3+ Cells and CD57–CD16+ Cells in Alopecia Areata After Corticosteroid Therapy
January 1994
in “
Dermatology
”
TLDR Corticosteroid therapy reduces specific immune cells and promotes hair growth in alopecia areata patients.
The study investigated the populations of activated T cells (HLA-DR+CD3+) and natural killer cells (CD57–CD16+) in patients with various types of alopecia areata (AA) before and after corticosteroid therapy. In severe cases (types 2 and 3), these cell populations were significantly higher compared to normal controls. After corticosteroid treatment in 24 patients, all experienced new hair growth, and the populations of HLA-DR+CD3+ cells significantly decreased, while CD57–CD16+ cells decreased to non-significant levels relative to normal controls. This suggested a correlation between these cell populations and AA disease activity.
