Lichen Planopilaris Is Characterized By Immune Privilege Collapse Of The Hair Follicle's Epithelial Stem Cell Niche

    June 2013 in “ The Journal of Pathology ”
    Matthew Harries, Katja C. Meyer, Iskander H. Chaudhry, Jennifer E. Kloepper, Enrique Poblet, C.E.M. Griffiths, Ralf Paus
    TLDR Lichen planopilaris may be an autoimmune disease causing hair loss due to immune system issues in hair follicles.
    The study investigated the pathogenesis of lichen planopilaris (LPP), a chronic inflammatory disease causing permanent hair loss, by analyzing scalp biopsies from 42 adult patients. It found that LPP is characterized by the collapse of immune privilege in the hair follicle's epithelial stem cell niche, known as the bulge. This collapse was evidenced by increased expression of MHC class I and II and a Th1-biased cytotoxic T cell response, alongside increased proliferation and apoptosis of epithelial hair follicle stem cells (eHFSCs). The findings suggested that interferon-γ (IFNγ) plays a significant role in this process, indicating that LPP may be an autoimmune disease. The study proposed that protecting or restoring immune privilege in the bulge could be a therapeutic strategy for managing this treatment-resistant form of cicatricial alopecia.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    19 / 19 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 55 results
      If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

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

      in Research  830 upvotes 7 months 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 Losing Hair on Dutasteride? You might have LPP

      in Research/Science  94 upvotes 2 weeks ago
      Men with hair loss might have lichen planopilaris (LPP), which can mimic androgenetic alopecia, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment with finasteride or dutasteride. Proper diagnosis, including biopsies, is crucial to distinguish between androgenetic alopecia and conditions like LPP.

      community You will lose hair if your prostaglandins aren't in balance

      in Research/Science  53 upvotes 2 days ago
      Prostaglandin balance affects hair loss, particularly in conditions like Lichen Planopilaris, where an imbalance can lead to hair follicle damage. Treatments mentioned include prostaglandin analogs and Pioglitazone HCL, with a focus on maintaining prostaglandin equilibrium for potential hair regrowth.

      community He used Dutasteride for 20 years. Interview

      in Treatment  113 upvotes 4 months ago
      Dutasteride has been used for 20 years with some hair thickness improvement but no dramatic regrowth. The user also experimented with minoxidil, tretinoin, and peptides like BPC 157 for potential benefits in hair density and quality.

    Related Research

    3 / 3 results