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

TLDR Targeting SIRT1 with antisense oligonucleotides could be a promising treatment for hair loss.

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.

View this study on bmcimmunol.biomedcentral.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Perspectives on MicroRNAs Targeting DKK1 for Developing Hair Regeneration Therapy

12 citations , October 2021 in “Cells”

Targeting a protein that blocks hair growth with microRNAs could lead to new hair loss treatments, but more research is needed.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease of Multiple Players

31 citations , July 2021 in “ImmunoTargets and therapy”

Alopecia areata is an incurable autoimmune condition causing hair loss, with research aiming for better treatments.

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”

miR-133b promotes hair growth and could be a potential treatment for hair loss.

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”

Found microRNA differences in hair cells, suggesting potential treatment targets for hair loss.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

134 citations , July 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

Hair follicles are normally protected from the immune system, but when this protection fails, it can cause hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.

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”

Topical JAK inhibitors may help treat alopecia universalis by promoting hair regrowth.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

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

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

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”

Double-stranded RNA causes inflammation in hair follicle cells, which may help understand and treat alopecia areata.

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”

Ruxolitinib effectively regrows hair in most patients with severe hair loss.

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

64 citations , July 2016 in “Journal of Immunology”

Blocking the CXCR3 receptor reduces T cell accumulation in the skin and prevents hair loss in mice.

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

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

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

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

Heat treatment increases hair loss in certain mice.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia

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

Hair loss in men treated best with early medication or transplant, new treatments researched.

research Antiandrogen Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

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

Antiandrogen therapy helps treat genetic hair loss.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

in Research 830 upvotes 1 year ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community 25F and have been losing my hair for 10 years. Been to doctors, no issues with thyroid or hormones. No history of hair loss in my family. Wtf do I do?

in Question 12 upvotes 7 years ago

A 25-year-old woman has been losing hair for 10 years despite normal thyroid, hormone levels, and B12 supplementation. She has used Minoxidil with limited success and is considering hair transplants, Propecia, or shaving her head and wearing wigs.

community Olumiant active ingredient Baricitinib

in Research/Science 1 upvotes 2 years ago

The conversation is about someone inquiring if anyone has tried Olumiant or its active ingredient, Baricitinib, for hair loss, mentioning the cost and that they have ordered Baricitinib.

community Apparently onion juice promotes hair growth. I was very skeptical at first but there seem to be a lot of people commenting on this article that have had positive results

14 upvotes 11 years ago

Onion juice is discussed as a potential treatment for hair growth, with many positive user comments. Other treatments mentioned include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

community Should I get transplant #4 or just shave my head?

in Transplants 171 upvotes 1 year ago

A 36-year-old considering a fourth hair transplant is advised to either shave his head or use a hair system due to poor results from previous transplants and late medication use. He plans to consult top surgeons and adjust his current treatments, including finasteride and minoxidil.

community Fuck hair loss; acquire beard.

in Shaved/buzzed 929 upvotes 3 years ago

A user's transformation from an accountant to a spartan with a full beard, discussing the potential of DUPA and alopecia areata, as well as treatments like vitamins, topicals, and natural treatments for potential regrowth.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

Trends in Nanotechnology for Practical Applications

research The Roles of Non-Coding RNA in the Development and Regeneration of Hair Follicles: Current Status and Further Perspectives

11 citations , October 2021 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology”

Non-coding RNAs are important for hair growth and could lead to new hair loss treatments, but more research is needed.

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

Research cited in this study

research Perspectives on MicroRNAs Targeting DKK1 for Developing Hair Regeneration Therapy

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease of Multiple Players

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

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

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

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

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia

research Antiandrogen Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

Related Community Posts Join

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

community 25F and have been losing my hair for 10 years. Been to doctors, no issues with thyroid or hormones. No history of hair loss in my family. Wtf do I do?

community Olumiant active ingredient Baricitinib

community Apparently onion juice promotes hair growth. I was very skeptical at first but there seem to be a lot of people commenting on this article that have had positive results

community Should I get transplant #4 or just shave my head?

community Fuck hair loss; acquire beard.

Similar Research

research Trends in Nanotechnology for Practical Applications

research Australian Hair and Wool Research Society Cutaneous Biology and Endocrinology Workshop

research Perspectives on MicroRNAs Targeting DKK1 for Developing Hair Regeneration Therapy

research Advanced Medical Therapies in the Management of Non-Scarring Alopecia: Areata and Androgenic Alopecia

research The Roles of Non-Coding RNA in the Development and Regeneration of Hair Follicles: Current Status and Further Perspectives