Lack of Specificity of Cytokeratin-15 Loss in Scarring Alopecias

The document discussed the lack of specificity of cytokeratin-15 (CK15) loss in scarring alopecias, particularly in lichen planopilaris (LPP). The study by Kolivras et al. examined CK15 expression in 35 cases of scarring alopecia, including 19 LPP, 9 frontal fibrosing alopecia, and 7 alopecic lupus erythematosus, finding CK15 loss in all three conditions. This suggested that CK15 loss was not specific to LPP, aligning with previous research indicating CK15 loss in various scarring alopecias. The findings supported the idea that CK15 expression is not restricted to the bulge region of hair follicles and that its loss is associated with scarring alopecia, but not specific to any single type.