Increased Blood Levels of NKG2D+CD4+ T Cells in Patients with Alopecia Areata

December 2016 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Yong Hyun Jang, Jin Kyeong Choi, Yun Hwan Jang, Sun Young Moon, Weon Ju Lee, Seok‐Jong Lee, Young‐Ae Choi, Sang‐Hyun Kim, Do Won Kim

NKG2D+CD4+ T cells alopecia areata IFN-γ immune privilege immunosuppressive therapy AA interferon gamma immune system

TLDR NKG2D+CD4+ T cells are higher in alopecia areata patients and may be involved in the disease.

The study investigated the role of NKG2D+CD4+ T cells in alopecia areata (AA) by analyzing blood samples from 43 patients with AA and 26 healthy controls. It found a 2.49-fold increase in NKG2D+CD4+ T cells in AA patients compared to controls, suggesting these cells might contribute to the disease's pathogenesis. The study highlighted that these cells could be potential therapeutic targets and markers of disease activity, although further research was needed to understand their functional properties in AA. The findings aligned with observations in other autoimmune diseases, where NKG2D+CD4+ T cells were implicated in inflammatory responses.

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Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research The Role of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Collapse in Alopecia Areata: Status and Perspectives

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research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

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research Maintenance of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Is Linked to Prevention of NK Cell Attack

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Hair follicles prevent NK cell attacks to avoid hair loss.

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