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

September 2022 in “ The American Journal of Dermatopathology ”

Mariya Miteva, Mehrdad Nadji, Victoria Billero, Charlotte LaSenna, Leigh Nattkemper, Paolo Romanelli

IL-17 perifollicular fibrosis Lichen planopilaris LPP chronic telogen effluvium fibroblasts inflammatory pathway

Studysummary This study found that IL-17 expression was significantly higher in perifollicular fibrosis of active Lichen planopilaris lesions, suggesting that targeting IL-17 could impact the disease's progression.

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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.

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