TLDR Hair follicles in nonsegmental vitiligo are better protected from immune attacks than in alopecia areata.
This study compared the immune privilege (IP) of hair follicles (HF) in nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) and alopecia areata (AA) by examining 20 patients with NSV and 20 with AA. In AA, there was a collapse of IP, indicated by increased interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI), and decreased transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in lesional HF. In contrast, NSV showed no difference in IFN-γ between lesional and nonlesional HF, but MHCI and MHCII were upregulated, and TGF-β1 was lower in lesional HF. The study concluded that IP is preserved in HF in NSV compared to AA, which helps protect follicular melanocytes from autoimmune attacks.
51 citations
,
December 2017 in “Skin Appendage Disorders” Stress may trigger hair loss by affecting immune protection in hair follicles.
74 citations
,
May 2016 in “Current opinion in pediatrics, with evaluated MEDLINE/Current opinion in pediatrics” Both vitiligo and alopecia areata involve an immune response triggered by stress and specific genes, with treatments targeting this pathway showing potential.
79 citations
,
December 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Alopecia areata may be treated by restoring hair follicle immune privilege and adjusting immune responses.
106 citations
,
January 2013 in “Clinical and Developmental Immunology” Alopecia areata is caused by immune system attacks on hair follicles, often triggered by viral infections.
13 citations
,
June 2010 in “Journal of dermatological treatment” Diphencyprone is effective for treating patchy hair loss in alopecia areata, but tacrolimus is not.
391 citations
,
January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.
286 citations
,
August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.
