Chronic Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Reaction as a Means to Treat Alopecia Areata

February 2004 in “ Clinical & Experimental Immunology ”

Margot Zöller, Pia Freyschmidt‐Paul, Mario Vitacolonna, Kevin J. McElwee, Susanne Hummel, R. Hoffmann

alopecia areata squaric acid dibutylester SADBE leukocyte autoreactive T cells CD44v3 CD44v10 lymph nodes AA

Studysummary This study suggests that long-term treatment with the contact sensitizer SADBE in mice may reduce leucocyte traffic in alopecia areata through impaired leucocyte extravasation. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study investigated the use of squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) to treat alopecia areata (AA) in C3H/HeJ mice, demonstrating complete hair regrowth on treated areas. The treatment appeared to work by altering leukocyte traffic, specifically reducing skin-infiltrating leukocytes and increasing their numbers in draining lymph nodes. This effect was attributed to impaired recruitment of autoreactive T cells, rather than changes in regulatory T cells or cytokine expression. The study highlighted the role of CD44v3 and CD44v10 in leukocyte recruitment, suggesting that their retention in lymph nodes could be a key mechanism in the therapeutic effect of SADBE for AA.

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research Alopecia Areata in C3H/HeJ Mice Involves Leukocyte-Mediated Root Sheath Disruption in Advance of Overt Hair Loss

37 citations , November 2003 in “Veterinary pathology”

This study showed that in C3H/HeJ mice, focal follicular inflammation starts before overt hair loss, with inflammation severity possibly reaching a threshold causing hair follicle dystrophy prior to visible hair loss.

research Gene Array Profiling and Immunomodulation Studies Define a Cell-Mediated Immune Response Underlying the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata in a Mouse Model and Humans

114 citations , August 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is caused by an immune response, and targeting immune cells might help treat it.

research Transient CD44 Variant Isoform Expression and Reduction in CD4+/CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in C3H/HeJ Mice with Alopecia Areata

77 citations , June 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

CD44 variant changes start alopecia areata, but don't maintain it.

Chronic Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Reaction as a Means to Treat Alopecia Areata

Research cited in this study

research Alopecia Areata in C3H/HeJ Mice Involves Leukocyte-Mediated Root Sheath Disruption in Advance of Overt Hair Loss

research Gene Array Profiling and Immunomodulation Studies Define a Cell-Mediated Immune Response Underlying the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata in a Mouse Model and Humans

research Transient CD44 Variant Isoform Expression and Reduction in CD4+/CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in C3H/HeJ Mice with Alopecia Areata

research The Therapeutic Use of Topical Contact Sensitizers in Benign Dermatoses

research Current and Potential Agents for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Review and Treatment Approaches

research Experimental Induction of Alopecia Areata-Like Hair Loss in C3H/HeJ Mice Using Full-Thickness Skin Grafts