Dandruff Lesional Scalp Skin Exhibits Epidermal T Cell Infiltration and a Weakened Hair Follicle Immune Privilege

    March 2024 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Science ”
    Susan L. Limbu, Talveen S. Purba, Matthew Harries, Rhia Kundu, Ranjit K. Bhogal, Ralf Paus
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    TLDR Dandruff is linked to increased T cells and weakened immune protection in hair follicles.
    The study investigates the immune microenvironment of dandruff-affected scalp skin, revealing increased epidermal CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and decreased MHC class II+/CD1a+ Langerhans cells in the infundibulum. In dandruff-associated hair follicles (HFs), there is a significant increase in MHC class Ia and ß2-microglobulin protein expression in the suprabulbar outer root sheath (ORS). RNA sequencing identified the antigen presentation pathway as highly regulated, with upregulation of HF immune privilege (HF IP) genes like HLA-C, HLA-DP, and TAP1, which are typically down-regulated in healthy HFs. While the expression of HF IP guardians CD200 and α-MSH and danger signals MICA and CXCL10 remained unchanged, the expression of macrophage migration inhibiting factor (MIF) was reduced. The findings suggest that dandruff is linked to epidermal T-cell infiltration and a compromised HF IP in the suprabulbar ORS of dandruff lesional HFs.
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