A New Humanized Mouse Model For Alopecia Areata

December 2013 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings ”

Amos Gilhar, Aviad Keren, Ralf Paus

alopecia areata humanized mouse model peripheral blood mononuclear cells NKG2D+ cells CD56+ cells immunodeficient mice scalp skin transplant AA PBMCs

Studysummary In this study, researchers developed a new humanized mouse model for alopecia areata that highlights the role of specific immune cells and may aid in discovering new treatments for the disease.

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

The study developed a new humanized mouse model for alopecia areata (AA) to better understand its pathogenesis and identify effective treatments. This model involved transplanting healthy human scalp skin onto severe-combined immunodeficient mice, followed by injecting cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells enriched for NKG2D+ and CD56+ cells. This method led to predictable hair loss with clinical features of AA, highlighting the role of these cells in the disease's pathogenesis and offering a promising tool for discovering new treatments.

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Research cited in this study

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research Blocking Potassium Channels (Kv1.3): A New Treatment Option for Alopecia Areata?

28 citations , March 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Kv1.3 blockers may help treat alopecia areata and promote hair regrowth.

research Psychosocial Impact of Wigs or Hairpieces on Perceived Quality of Life in Female Patients with Alopecia Areata

9 citations , December 2012 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Wearing wigs or hairpieces improves self-esteem, adaptability, and competence in women with alopecia areata.

research Autoimmune Disease Induction in a Healthy Human Organ: A Humanized Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata

75 citations , October 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study developed an animal model that recreates alopecia areata by injecting healthy human skin grafts in immunocompromised mice with peripheral blood mononuclear cells enriched for NKG2D+ and CD56+ cells.

research Alopecia Areata as a Model for T Cell-Dependent Autoimmune Diseases

28 citations , May 2012 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This article discusses alopecia areata as a potential model for studying T cell-dependent autoimmune diseases and reports no new experimental findings.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

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

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

This study identified key genetic regions associated with alopecia areata, highlighting both acquired and innate immune involvement, with a novel link to the upregulation of ULBP ligands in autoimmune disease.

research Neuroendocrine Perspectives in Alopecia Areata: Does Stress Play a Role?

69 citations , May 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This research highlights that psychological stress can adversely affect hair growth in mice, implicating potential pathways that may be relevant in understanding stress-induced hair growth inhibition in humans.

research Maintenance of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Is Linked to Prevention of NK Cell Attack

253 citations , December 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that human hair follicles may actively suppress natural killer cells, which contrasts with the observed defects in NK cell regulation in alopecia areata.

research Neuroimmunology of Stress: Skin Takes Center Stage

375 citations , July 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This review discusses the brain-skin connection, the skin's role in stress response, and highlights unmet challenges in understanding stress-induced skin inflammation but reports no new experimental findings.

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

131 citations , November 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study observed that alopecia areata can be induced and serially transferred in C3H/HeJ mice using skin grafts, providing a useful model for studying the disease in humans.

research Alopecia Areata in Aging C3H/HeJ Mice

178 citations , June 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that a non-scarring alopecia in C3H/HeJ mice resembles human alopecia areata and may serve as a valuable model for studying specific subtypes of the human condition.