Microneedle-Mediated Delivery of Immunomodulators Restores Immune Privilege in Hair Follicles and Reverses Immune-Mediated Alopecia

April 2024 in “ Advanced Materials ”

Nour K. Younis, Núria Puigmal, Abdullah El-Kurdi, Andrew Badaoui, Dongliang Zhang, Claudia Morales‐Garay, Anis J. Saad, Diane Cruz, Nadim Al Rahy, Andrea Daccache, Triana Huerta, Christa Deban, Ahmad Halawi, John Y. Choi, Pere Dosta, Christine G. Lian, Natalie Artzi, Jamil Azzi

microneedle immunomodulators immune privilege hair follicles alopecia areata hydrogel microneedle patch CCL22 IL-2 regulatory T cells T regs immune balance hair regrowth systemic treatments inflammation humanized skin transplant mouse model microneedle patch

TLDR A microneedle patch can help regrow hair by restoring immune balance in hair follicles.

The study investigates a novel approach to treating alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing localized hair loss, by using a hydrogel microneedle (MN) patch to deliver CCL22 and IL-2, which attract and support regulatory T cells (Tregs) at the site of hair follicles. This method aims to restore immune balance locally without systemic immunosuppression. In a murine model, the treatment led to sustained hair regrowth and reduced inflammation. Additionally, in a humanized skin transplant mouse model, Treg expansion was confirmed in human skin without peripheral immunosuppression. The MN patch demonstrated high-loading capacity and stability, indicating potential for clinical application.

View this study on doi.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

134 citations, August 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.

Combination of Photodynamic Therapy with 5-Aminolaevulinic Acid and Microneedling in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata Resistant to Conventional Therapies: Our Experience with 41 Patients

research Combination of Photodynamic Therapy with 5-Aminolaevulinic Acid and Microneedling in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata Resistant to Conventional Therapies: Our Experience with 41 Patients

14 citations, April 2020 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Combining light therapy, acid, and microneedling improves hair regrowth in stubborn hair loss cases.

research Regulatory T Cells: The Many Faces of Foxp3

125 citations, September 2019 in “Journal of Clinical Immunology”

Foxp3 is crucial for regulatory T cell function, and targeting these cells may help treat immune disorders.

research Regulatory T Cells in Inflammatory Skin Disease: From Mice to Humans

43 citations, February 2019 in “International immunology”

Special immune cells called Regulatory T cells help control skin inflammation and repair in various skin diseases.

research Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmune Skin Diseases

24 citations, April 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Treg dysfunction is linked to various autoimmune skin diseases, and understanding Treg properties is key for new treatments.

Randomized Trial of Electrodynamic Microneedle Combined with 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution for the Treatment of Chinese Male Androgenetic Alopecia

research Randomized Trial of Electrodynamic Microneedle Combined with 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution for the Treatment of Chinese Male Androgenetic Alopecia

28 citations, October 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

Combining electrodynamic microneedle with 5% minoxidil improves hair growth and reduces hair loss in Chinese men.

research Repeated Microneedle Stimulation Induces Enhanced Hair Growth in a Murine Model

55 citations, January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Microneedle stimulation can increase hair growth in mice.

research Topical Products for Human Hair Regeneration: A Comparative Study on an Animal Model

3 citations, January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Minoxidil was the most effective treatment for hair regrowth in rats compared to Aminexil or Kerium.

research Response to Microneedling Treatment in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Who Failed to Respond to Conventional Therapy

68 citations, May 2015 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

Microneedling can effectively promote new hair growth in men with hair loss who didn't improve with traditional treatments.

Red Ginseng Extract Promotes Hair Growth in Cultured Human Hair Follicles

1 / 1 results

research Understanding Immune Privilege in an Inducible Mouse Model of Primary Cicatricial Alopecia

April 2023 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

The study found that a key immune pathway protecting hair follicles is reduced in a mouse model of scarring hair loss.