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

November 2018 in “ immuneACCESS ”

A de Jong, A Jabbari, Z Dai, L Xing, D Lee, MM Li, M Duvic, Maria Hordinsky, DA Norris, V Price, J Mackay-WIggan, R Clynes, Angela M. Christiano

Alopecia Areata CD8+ T cells T cell receptor sequencing clonal expansions lesional skin skin-draining lymph nodes JAK-inhibitor tofacitinib scalp autoimmune disease hair follicles AA TCR sequencing JAK inhibitor Xeljanz

TLDR Expanded CD8+ T cells are linked to Alopecia Areata and may cause relapse after treatment.

The study utilized high throughput T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to investigate the role of CD8+ T cells in Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune disease targeting hair follicles. In both the C3H/HeJ mouse model and human AA patients, researchers identified clonal expansions of CD8+ T cells in lesional skin, suggesting an antigen-driven response. The study found that these pathogenic T cells were also present in skin-draining lymph nodes. Treatment with the JAK-inhibitor tofacitinib in AA patients reduced the number of these expanded T cell clones in the scalp, but many did not completely disappear from the skin or blood, potentially explaining disease relapse after stopping treatment.

View this study on europepmc.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Alopecia Areata Question

in Treatment 2 upvotes 3 years ago

A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.

community mbp alopecia areata or vitamin deficiency

in Chat 4 months ago

A 19-year-old male has been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 8 months with no progress and is considering seeking a second opinion due to potential misdiagnosis. The discussion revolves around whether the hair loss is due to male pattern baldness, alopecia areata, or a vitamin deficiency.

community Olumiant alternative for Alopecia Areata?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 1 year ago

A user with alopecia areata is considering treatment options like injections or Olumiant but is concerned about cost and whether delaying treatment will lead to permanent hair loss. They are seeking alternative treatments that are more affordable for a college student.

community Covid (likely) induced alopecia areata - now 2nd round of Covid, what can I expect?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 1 year ago

After experiencing hair loss due to alopecia areata following COVID-19 vaccination and infection, the individual saw improvement with steroid treatments and Olumiant. They paused Olumiant during a second COVID-19 infection and expressed concern about potential hair loss flare-ups.

community Onion Juice - An effective topical treatment for Alopecia Areata 🧬

in Treatment 1 year ago

Onion juice, when applied topically, is an effective treatment for Alopecia Areata, showing significant hair regrowth in both males and females. The study suggests it could be interesting to test its effectiveness on Androgenic Alopecia.

community Nearly 40% of Adults with Alopecia Areata Taking OLUMIANT® 4-mg Saw at Least 80% Scalp Hair Coverage at 52 Weeks

in Research/Science 6 upvotes 2 years ago

Nearly 40% of adults with alopecia areata achieved at least 80% scalp hair coverage after 52 weeks of taking OLUMIANT® 4-mg. The conversation distinguishes this success from androgenetic alopecia, which is a different type of hair loss.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

October 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica (Print)”

People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.