Quantification of Mast Cells in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

December 2023 in “ JAAD International ”

Sydney Look-Why, Jared Goldberg, Claire Alexanian, Nicole Rogers, Nikita N.M. Coleman, Yolanda M. Lenzy, Eric Pinos, Lynne J. Goldberg

central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia mast cells lymphocytic scarring alopecia alopecia pathogenesis CCCA

TLDR Mast cells may significantly contribute to central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.

This study analyzed 87 biopsies from 85 patients to investigate the role of mast cells (MCs) in central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). It found that MC counts were significantly higher with CD117 staining compared to Giemsa stain and correlated with perifollicular fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting MCs may contribute to CCCA pathogenesis. The study proposes that targeting MCs could have therapeutic implications for CCCA and other lymphocytic scarring alopecias. Although MC count correlated with disease duration and severity, it was not statistically significant and did not correlate with hair follicle numbers. Limitations include staining variability and lack of MC characterization, with further research recommended.

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research Gene Expression Profiling Suggests Severe, Extensive Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia May Be Both Clinically and Biologically Distinct From Limited Disease Subtypes

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research Infiltration of Mast Cells in Scalp Biopsies of Patients with Alopecia Areata or Androgenic Alopecia Versus Healthy Individuals: A Case-Control Study

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Infiltration of Mast Cells in Scalp Biopsies of Patients with Alopecia Areata or Androgenic Alopecia Versus Healthy Individuals: A Case-Control Study

research Infiltration of Mast Cells in Scalp Biopsies of Patients with Alopecia Areata or Androgenic Alopecia Versus Healthy Individuals: A Case-Control Study

December 2020 in “Galen Medical Journal”

People with Alopecia Areata and Androgenic Alopecia have more mast cells in their scalp than healthy individuals, especially those with Alopecia Areata.

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research Therapeutic Hotline: Effectiveness of the Association of Cetirizine and Topical Steroids in Lichen Planus Pilaris - An Open-Label Clinical Trial

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research An Atlas of Hair Pathology with Clinical Correlations

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The book is a detailed guide on hair and scalp diseases, useful for dermatopathologists.

Quantification of Mast Cells in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

Research cited in this study

research Exploring Mast Cell–CD8 T Cell Interactions in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

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research Gene Expression Profiling Suggests Severe, Extensive Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia May Be Both Clinically and Biologically Distinct From Limited Disease Subtypes

research Infiltration of Mast Cells in Scalp Biopsies of Patients with Alopecia Areata or Androgenic Alopecia Versus Healthy Individuals: A Case-Control Study

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research Medical and Environmental Risk Factors for the Development of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

research Therapeutic Hotline: Effectiveness of the Association of Cetirizine and Topical Steroids in Lichen Planus Pilaris - An Open-Label Clinical Trial

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