The Protective Role of miR-486 for Alopecia Areata
TLDR miR-486 may help prevent hair loss in alopecia areata.
The study from 2018 found that miR-486 plays a protective role in alopecia areata (AA) by maintaining hair follicle immune privilege. In female C3H/HeJ mice with AA, miR-486 expression was significantly lower in alopecic skin compared to healthy skin. Enhancing miR-486 levels in these mice prevented early hair follicle transition to the catagen phase and reduced immune cell infiltration and MHCI expression. Conversely, inhibiting miR-486 resulted in delayed hair growth and increased immune cell presence. Similar effects were observed in human hair follicles treated ex vivo. These findings suggest that miR-486 could be a potential therapeutic target for AA.