'Omics' Approaches for Studying the Microbiome in Alopecia Areata

September 2020 in “ Journal of Investigative Medicine ”

Daniela Pinto, Anna Trink, Elisabetta Sorbellini, Giammaria Giuliani, Fabio Rinaldi

alopecia areata microbiome metagenomics metabolomics microbial dysbiosis Propionibacterium Staphylococcus postbiotical drugs scalp microbiome AA scalp bacteria

Studysummary This article discusses the role of the microbiome in different forms of alopecia and highlights the importance of Omics approaches for future research, but it provides no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document from October 2020 discusses the significance of 'omics' approaches, like metagenomics and metabolomics, in studying the microbiome's role in alopecia areata (AA), a type of hair loss involving the immune system. It highlights that microbial dysbiosis, particularly involving Propionibacterium and Staphylococcus, has been observed in AA. The authors argue that these techniques can elucidate the microbiota composition changes and their effects on biological mechanisms in AA. They also point out the potential of omics in creating targeted therapies, including "postbiotical" drugs. The conclusion is that while the scalp microbiome's taxonomic composition in AA has been explored, the functional implications require more research through omics to develop new therapeutic strategies.

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