Increased Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Anti-RBP4 Antibody in Alopecia Areata

June 2011 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

Keun Jae Ahn, Eunhee Choi, J. Kim, J.H. Lee, K.H. Lee, Dongsik Bang, S.B. Cho

retinol-binding protein 4 RBP4 alopecia areata AA male pattern hair loss IgG recombinant human RBP4 retinoic acid biosynthesis pathway

TLDR People with alopecia areata have higher levels of RBP4 protein and antibodies against it.

The study compared serum protein profiles of 15 patients with biopsy-confirmed alopecia areata (AA) to those of 15 healthy controls and found that RBP4 expression was significantly upregulated in AA patients. Serum levels of RBP4 were higher in AA patients (mean ± SD: 49,233.47 ± 13,590.86 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (mean ± SD: 32,408.80 ± 8,883.29 ng/mL) and male pattern hair loss patients (mean ± SD: 32,946.33 ± 9,041.21 ng/mL). Additionally, 67% of AA patients had IgG reactivity to recombinant human RBP4, compared to 13% of healthy controls and 7% of male pattern hair loss patients. The study concluded that the increased serum levels of RBP4 and positive IgG immunoreactivity against RBP4 in AA patients suggest an involvement of the retinoic acid biosynthesis pathway in the disease's pathogenesis, although further research is needed to understand the clinical significance and precise role of RBP4 in AA.

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Research cited in this study

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research Increased Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Anti-RBP4 Antibody in Alopecia Areata

6 citations, June 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata have higher levels of RBP4 protein and antibodies against it.

Increased Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Anti-RBP4 Antibody in Alopecia Areata

Research cited in this study

research Analysis of the Expression Pattern of the Carrier Protein Transthyretin and Its Receptor Megalin in the Human Scalp Skin and Hair Follicles: Hair Cycle-Associated Changes

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

research Alopecia Areata Update

research Phase I/II Randomized Bilateral Half-Head Comparison of Topical Bexarotene 1% Gel for Alopecia Areata

research Immunolocalization of Enzymes, Binding Proteins, and Receptors Sufficient for Retinoic Acid Synthesis and Signaling During the Hair Cycle

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