IL-17 Expression in Perifollicular Fibrosis in Biopsies from Lichen Planopilaris

The study "IL-17 Expression in the Perifollicular Fibrosis in Biopsies From Lichen Planopilaris" by Miteva et al. examined the expression of IL-17 in scalp biopsies from 40 patients with active Lichen planopilaris (LPP), a type of hair loss for which there is currently no cure. The researchers found a significant increase in IL-17 expression in the perifollicular fibrosis of the affected follicles in LPP compared to 20 control biopsies from patients with chronic telogen effluvium (P < 0.0001). The cells expressing IL-17 were identified as fibroblasts. The study concludes that blocking the IL-17 inflammatory pathway may interfere with the progression of the perifollicular fibrosis and inflammation in LPP, suggesting a potential new treatment approach.