Computer-Assisted Epitope Prediction Revealed Potential Autoantigens Associated with Human Alopecia Areata

April 2018 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

M. Li, E. Wang, Annemieke de Jong, P. Sinu, C.A. Lindestam, Alessandro Sette, Angela M. Christiano

alopecia areata autoantigens epitope prediction hair follicle-expressed proteins anagen stage HLA-I HLA-II peptide panels PBMCs melanogenesis-related proteins T cell responses Th1 responses Th2 responses AA human leukocyte antigen class I human leukocyte antigen class II peripheral blood mononuclear cells

TLDR Melanogenesis-related proteins may trigger immune responses in alopecia areata patients.

The study focused on identifying potential autoantigens associated with alopecia areata (AA) by using computer-assisted epitope prediction. Researchers derived a list of 313 hair follicle-expressed proteins, emphasizing anagen stage proteins, and designed a panel of overlapping peptides restricted to HLA-A*0201 and HLA-DR. They screened for IFNg and IL5 responses by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 AA patients with peptide pools. The results showed that peptides derived from melanogenesis-related proteins induced higher T cell responses in AA patients compared to healthy donors, indicating strong Th1 and Th2 responses. This identification of AA-associated antigens could aid in developing diagnostic tools and antigen-specific tolerogenic therapies.

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