Increased Number of OKT6-Positive Dendritic Cells in the Hair Follicles of Patients with Alopecia Areata

In a study involving 18 individuals, researchers found that patients with progressive alopecia areata had a significantly higher percentage (4.9 ± 0.3%) of OKT6-positive dendritic cells in both the upper portions and bulbar area of hair follicles compared to controls (1.0 ± 0.1%) and those in the stationary stage (1.1 ± 0.1%). This suggests that these dendritic cells, in cooperation with T cells, may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.