High-Throughput T Cell Receptor Sequencing Identifies Clonally Expanded CD8+ T Cell Populations in Alopecia Areata

October 2018 in “ JCI insight ”

Annemieke de Jong, Ali Jabbari, Zhijun Dai, Luzhou Xing, Dustin Lee, Mei Mei Li, Madeleine Duvic, Maria Hordinsky, David A. Norris, Vera H. Price, Julian Mackay‐Wiggan, Raphael Clynes, Angela M. Christiano

alopecia areata CD8+ T cells T cell receptor sequencing JAK inhibitor tofacitinib clonal expansions antigen-driven model T cells JAK inhibitors Xeljanz

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Tofacitinib →

a JAK inhibitor for alopecia areata and other autoimmune conditions

Studysummary In this study, the researchers found that treatment with the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib in alopecia areata patients may reduce clonal CD8+ T cell expansions but does not eliminate them entirely, which could contribute to disease relapse.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study identified clonally expanded CD8+ T cell populations in patients with alopecia areata using high-throughput T cell receptor sequencing, suggesting these T cells played a significant role in the disease's pathogenesis. The research indicated that targeting these specific T cell populations could be a potential therapeutic strategy. Treatment with the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib reduced these clonal expansions but did not completely eliminate them, which might explain disease relapse after stopping treatment. The findings supported an antigen-driven model of alopecia areata and highlighted the importance of continuous treatment to maintain remission.

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Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

research An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

130 citations , February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that tofacitinib led to ≥50% hair regrowth in eight out of twelve patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata, suggesting a potential benefit for using JAK inhibitors in treating this condition.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Tofacitinib

78 citations , March 2017 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Tofacitinib helped regrow hair in people with severe alopecia, but side effects occurred and benefits stopped after treatment ended.

research Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata and Variants: A Study of 90 Patients

238 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, tofacitinib was reported to improve scalp hair regrowth in patients with severe alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis, showing a higher response in alopecia areata.

research Safety and Efficacy of the JAK Inhibitor Tofacitinib Citrate in Patients with Alopecia Areata

222 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

This research overview highlights that although JAK inhibitors show promise as potential treatments for alopecia areata based on recent insights into the disease mechanism, their efficacy has not yet been thoroughly evaluated in a systematic manner.

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers

70 citations , April 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

In this study, oral tofacitinib treatment led to significant hair regrowth and changes in skin and blood biomarkers in a patient with alopecia areata.

High-Throughput T Cell Receptor Sequencing Identifies Clonally Expanded CD8+ T Cell Populations in Alopecia Areata

Research cited in this study

research An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Tofacitinib

research Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata and Variants: A Study of 90 Patients

research Safety and Efficacy of the JAK Inhibitor Tofacitinib Citrate in Patients with Alopecia Areata

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

research Trichohyalin Is a Potential Major Autoantigen in Human Alopecia Areata

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

research Melanocytes: A Possible Autoimmune Target in Alopecia Areata

research Characterization of Hair Follicle Antigens Targeted by the Anti-Hair Follicle Immune Response

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