Modulating Immune Responses in Alopecia: Therapeutic Insights and Potential Targets of Antisense Oligonucleotides

April 2025 in “ BMC Immunology ”

Shahnaz Begum, Md. Jamil Hossain, Insun Kim, Hyun Su Min, Yu Na Lim, Hyun‐Jeong Cho, Jin‐Hyeob Ryu

alopecia areata androgenic alopecia antisense oligonucleotides TAMI-M SIRT1 proinflammatory cytokines Ruxolitinib JAK inhibitor AA AGA ASOs

Studysummary This study highlights the role of immune dysregulation, microRNA modulation, and SIRT1 pathways in alopecia areata, suggesting antisense oligonucleotides targeting miR-485-3p as a promising therapeutic strategy for promoting hair regrowth and reducing inflammation in murine models.

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

The study examines the role of immune dysregulation and microRNA modulation in alopecia areata (AA) and androgenic alopecia (AGA), focusing on the therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) like TAMI-M. It identifies SIRT1 as a key modulator of immune responses, where its activation suppresses inflammation. TAMI-M, tested in C3H/HeJ mice, effectively reduced hair loss and inflammation by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines and enhancing SIRT1 expression. The ASO's effects were comparable to Ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, in human hair follicle cells. These findings suggest that targeting SIRT1 and inflammatory pathways with ASOs could offer promising treatments for hair loss disorders, though further research is needed to ensure long-term safety and efficacy.

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Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research SIRT1 Downregulation Provokes Immune-Inflammatory Responses in Hair Follicle Outer Root Sheath Cells and May Contribute to Development of Alopecia Areata

13 citations , May 2023 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This research found that reduced expression of SIRT1 in human scalp tissue may contribute to alopecia areata development by inducing immune-inflammatory responses in hair follicle cells, suggesting that SIRT1 plays a regulatory role in hair follicle immunity.

research Perspectives on MicroRNAs Targeting DKK1 for Developing Hair Regeneration Therapy

12 citations , October 2021 in “Cells”

This review discusses the potential of miRNA-mediated hair growth treatments for androgenetic alopecia by targeting DKK1 to modulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and reports no new clinical findings.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease of Multiple Players

31 citations , July 2021 in “ImmunoTargets and therapy”

This review compiles current evidence on the molecular mechanisms, etiologies, and targeted immunotherapies for alopecia areata and reports no new experimental results, emphasizing the need for further research to manage the disease.

research MiRNA Microarray Profiling in Patients with Androgenic Alopecia and the Effects of miR-133b on Hair Growth

10 citations , December 2020 in “Experimental and Molecular Pathology”

This study found that patients with androgenetic alopecia exhibit specific miRNA expression profiles, suggesting that abnormal miR-133b expression may inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and affect hair growth.

research Defining MicroRNA Signatures of Hair Follicular Stem and Progenitor Cells in Healthy and Androgenic Alopecia Patients

12 citations , November 2020 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

In this study, miR-324-3p was found to promote differentiation and migration in cultured keratinocytes and is highlighted as a potential target for treating androgenic alopecia.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

134 citations , July 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

This review discusses immune privilege in anagen hair follicles and its collapse in alopecia areata, emphasizing the importance of restoring this function for effective management and disease relapse prevention.

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

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research Treatment of Alopecia Universalis with Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors – A Double Blind, Placebo, and Active Controlled Pilot Study

49 citations , August 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

In this phase I study, partial hair regrowth was observed in patients with alopecia universalis using topical JAK inhibitors, though more research is needed to confirm potential as a treatment alternative to clobetasol.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, and pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlights recent advancements, but it does not report new clinical findings.

Double-Stranded RNA Induces Inflammation via the NF-κB Pathway and Inflammasome Activation in the Outer Root Sheath Cells of Hair Follicles

research Double-Stranded RNA Induces Inflammation via the NF-κB Pathway and Inflammasome Activation in the Outer Root Sheath Cells of Hair Follicles

22 citations , March 2017 in “Scientific reports”

This study investigated the role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in alopecia areata and found that outer root sheath cells may contribute to inflammation by increasing IL-1β and HMGB1 secretion when stimulated with double-stranded RNA.

research Identification of Differentially Expressed miRNAs in Alopecia Areata That Target Immune-Regulatory Pathways

14 citations , March 2017 in “Genes and immunity”

Certain microRNAs may help treat alopecia areata by targeting immune pathways.

research Oral Ruxolitinib Induces Hair Regrowth in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

196 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

This study explored the effectiveness of the oral JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in treating patients with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, building on prior success with JAK inhibitors in mice, but results are not reported in this abstract.

research CXCR3 Blockade Inhibits T Cell Migration Into the Skin and Prevents Development of Alopecia Areata

64 citations , July 2016 in “Journal of Immunology”

In this study, blocking the CXCR3 receptor in mice prevented the development of alopecia areata by inhibiting the accumulation of specific T cells in the skin, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for humans.

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

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

This study found that JAK inhibitors promote hair regrowth in both mice and human alopecia areata cases by blocking key immune pathways involved in disease development.

research Heat Treatment Increases the Incidence of Alopecia Areata in the C3H/HeJ Mouse Model

18 citations , June 2010 in “Cell Stress and Chaperones”

This study reported that heat treatment significantly increased the incidence of alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice, suggesting a role for induced HSPA1A/B expression in disease development.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia

100 citations , April 2010 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy”

This article reviews existing treatments for male-pattern hair loss, noting that while they can slow progression, they generally achieve only partial hair regrowth.

research Antiandrogen Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

14 citations , April 2006 in “Expert Review of Dermatology”

This review discusses therapeutic options for androgenetic alopecia, noting that while antiandrogen treatments prevent further hair loss and promote some regrowth, dramatic results are rare.