Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Protects From Immune Privilege Collapse and Scarring Hair Follicle Destruction
epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR immune privilege collapse scarring alopecia EGFR-inhibitor alopecia chronic inflammation stem cells apoptosis fibrotic scarring RNA sequencing antigen presentation machinery inflammatory pathways cicatricial alopecia Folliculitis decalvans scarring hair loss hair loss immune system collapse cell death immune system activation
TLDR Blocking EGFR can lead to hair loss due to inflammation and stem cell damage.
The study investigates the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in protecting hair follicles from immune privilege collapse and scarring alopecia, particularly in the context of EGFR-inhibitor anti-cancer treatments. Using mouse models with epidermal or hair follicle-specific deletion of EGFR, researchers observed alopecia during chronic inflammation, characterized by a hyper-proliferative burst of stem cells followed by apoptosis and fibrotic scarring. RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of antigen presentation machinery and activated inflammatory pathways, indicating immune privilege collapse. The study aims to identify immune-regulatory mechanisms and test therapeutic candidates to prevent scarring alopecia in patients undergoing EGFR inhibitor therapy and those with cicatricial alopecia like Folliculitis decalvans.
