Circulating MicroRNA Signatures in Severe Alopecia Areata: Diagnostic Discrimination, Pathway Analysis, and Therapeutic Implications

This study on alopecia areata (AA) identifies distinct plasma miRNA profiles that could aid in diagnosis and therapy. Involving 140 participants, including 50 AA patients, the research found 19 miRNAs significantly downregulated in AA, with nine validated for both mild and severe forms. Key miRNAs with high classification potential were miR-130b-3p, miR-296-5p, miR-424-5p, and miR-195-5p. Machine learning demonstrated strong predictive accuracy for AA (AUC = 0.94). Pathway analysis revealed immune-related pathways, such as Interferon-gamma and JAK/STAT, as significant. Kinase inhibitors were identified as promising therapeutic targets. These findings are exploratory and require further validation.