Tolerance Induction by Hair-Specific Keratins in Murine Alopecia Areata

July 2013 in “ Journal of Leukocyte Biology ”

Ulrike Erb, Pia Freyschmidt‐Paul, Margot Zöller

alopecia areata hair-specific keratins K71 K31 T cells dendritic cells immune response skin transplantation T cell anergy immunosuppression AA DCs

TLDR Nonimmunogenic forms of keratins K71 and K31 can delay and prevent alopecia areata.

The study investigated the role of hair-specific keratins, K71 and K31, in the autoimmune disease alopecia areata (AA) using C3H/HeJ mice. It was found that these keratins could activate T cells, leading to AA when presented by dendritic cells (DCs). Vaccination with these keratin peptides increased the frequency of specific T cells and mimicked the immune response seen in AA induced by skin transplantation. However, administering soluble K71 or K31 peptides delayed AA onset and prevented its progression by inducing T cell anergy without causing immunosuppression. This suggested that keratins K71 and K31 played a role in AA induction, and their nonimmunogenic peptide forms could serve as an effective therapeutic approach.

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Research cited in this study

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