TLDR Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are a key factor in causing hair loss in alopecia areata and could help differentiate it from other hair loss conditions.
The study examined the involvement of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) in alopecia areata (AA) by analyzing tissue samples from 19 AA patients, 10 trichotillomania patients, and 7 androgenetic alopecia (AGA) patients. It was found that PDCs were present in all AA cases, located around the hair bulb and producing type I interferons, while they were less common and differently located in trichotillomania cases and not found in AGA cases. The results indicate that PDCs are key in the development of AA and could be used to distinguish AA from other hair loss disorders under the microscope. The study suggests that PDCs may be a critical factor in the immune response that causes hair loss in AA, and that therapies targeting PDCs could be effective for treatment.
Cited in this study
6 / 6 results
421 citations
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April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.
52 citations
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March 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Alopecia areata shows a unique type 1 interferon signature, suggesting potential treatment by targeting this pathway.
170 citations
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January 2010 in “Histopathology” The conclusion is that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires good teamwork between skin doctors and lab experts.
38 citations
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January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” A woman developed hair loss after starting a treatment with adalimumab, suggesting this medication might cause hair loss.
10 citations
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July 2008 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology” Increased mucin in the skin might indicate lupus in patients with hair loss, but more research is needed.
35 citations
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January 2002 in “Dermatology” A woman's hair loss during treatment with specific hepatitis C drugs grew back after stopping the medication.
45 citations
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December 2014 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are a key factor in causing hair loss in alopecia areata and could help differentiate it from other hair loss conditions.
