Exploring the Potential of the Novel IFNγ Aptamer TAGX-0003 as a Treatment for Alopecia Areata in Pre-Clinical Models
October 2021
in “
The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology
”
TAGX-0003 IFNγ alopecia areata ssDNA aptamer STAT1 phosphorylation hair follicle organ culture catagen development MHC class I MHC class II hair bulb human skin xenotransplants intradermal administration hair regrowth steroid minoxidil immune privilege collapse Alopecia Areata Interferon gamma Hair Loss Hair Follicle Skin Transplants Hair Growth Rogaine
TLDR The new aptamer TAGX-0003 shows promise as an effective treatment for hair loss disorder alopecia areata.
The study investigated the potential of TAGX-0003, a proprietary ssDNA aptamer with high affinity against IFNγ, as a treatment for Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune hair loss disorder. The research found that systemic administration of 0.3 and 3nM TAGX-0003 significantly inhibited IFNγ-induced STAT1 phosphorylation in human hair follicle organ culture. It also prevented IFNγ-induced premature catagen development and blocked MHC class I and II up-regulation in the hair bulb. In human skin xenotransplants, intradermal administration of TAGX-0003 promoted hair regrowth, similar to steroid/minoxidil treatment. However, only TAGX-0003 significantly reduced MHC I and II expression in/around hair bulbs, rescuing hair follicles from immune privilege collapse. The findings support further exploration of TAGX-0003 as a treatment for AA.
