Peripheral Blood Gene Expression in Alopecia Areata Reveals Molecular Pathways Distinguishing Heritability, Disease, and Severity

June 2010 in “ Genes and Immunity ”

Alvin B. Coda, V Qafalijaj Hysa, Kristina Seiffert-Sinha, Animesh A. Sinha

alopecia areata immune response apoptosis G-protein signal transduction innate immune processes adaptive immune processes biomarkers gene expression profiling AA immune system cell death G-protein signaling innate immunity adaptive immunity gene profiling

Studysummary This study found distinct gene expression patterns in the blood of alopecia areata patients, suggesting involvement of immune processes and new pathways like Wnt signaling and apoptosis in disease pathogenesis.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study analyzed gene expression in the blood of 18 individuals, including 9 patients with alopecia areata (AA), 5 unaffected relatives, and 4 unrelated healthy controls, to understand the molecular pathways involved in AA. Researchers found 167 differentially expressed genes associated with immune response and identified three distinct expression patterns related to heritability, disease presence, and severity. The study revealed upregulation in genes linked to immune system processes, apoptosis, and G-protein signal transduction, suggesting the involvement of both innate and adaptive immune processes in AA. Shared genes between AA blood and skin lesions suggest that blood may contain biomarkers for AA. This research indicates that peripheral blood gene expression profiling can aid in the molecular classification of AA and the identification of system-wide disturbances related to the disease. However, larger studies are needed to validate these findings and their potential use in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

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Research cited in this study

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295 citations , May 2016 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review examines the immunological aspects of alopecia areata, focusing on genetic, neuroimmunological, and immune privilege factors, but does not report new clinical findings.

research Maintenance of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Is Linked to Prevention of NK Cell Attack

253 citations , December 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that human hair follicles may actively suppress natural killer cells, which contrasts with the observed defects in NK cell regulation in alopecia areata.

Reversible Alopecia Universalis Secondary to PEG-Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

research Reversible Alopecia Universalis Secondary to PEG-Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

41 citations , August 2007 in “European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology”

This case report documents a reversible instance of complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis) in a patient undergoing chronic hepatitis C treatment with pegylated interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin, with hair regrowth observed within three months after therapy completion.

research Genomewide Scan for Linkage Reveals Evidence of Several Susceptibility Loci for Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2007 in “The American Journal of Human Genetics”

This study identified four genetic loci on chromosomes 6, 10, 16, and 18 that may contribute to susceptibility for alopecia areata and suggested shared genetic factors with psoriasis.

research Wnt Signaling Induces Epithelial Differentiation During Cutaneous Wound Healing

159 citations , January 2006 in “BMC Cell Biology”

This study found that manipulating Wnt signaling pathways in cutaneous wounds can induce skin structures resembling regeneration, suggesting a potential role for Wnt signals in restoring skin architecture during wound healing.

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185 citations , August 2005 in “Autoimmunity Reviews”

This review discusses alopecia areata as a model for studying tissue-directed autoimmune diseases and reports no new clinical findings.

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32 citations , January 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, all four cases of congenital alopecia areata experienced periods of remission, with clobetasol propionate 0.05% achieving full hair regrowth in half of the patients treated.

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19 citations , September 2002 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

In this retrospective study, anti-tuberculous agents, likely rifampicin, were effective adjunctive therapies for a chalazion, coinciding with spontaneous drainage in a patient with rosacea.

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114 citations , August 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is caused by an immune response, and targeting immune cells might help treat it.

research Suppression of Hair Follicle Development Inhibits Induction of Sonic Hedgehog, Patched, and Patched-2 in Hair Germs in Mice

14 citations , September 2001 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

This study reported that Sonic hedgehog signaling is crucial for hair follicle development, with its expression being significantly induced in normal embryonic hair germs but inhibited in certain experimental models.

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194 citations , May 2000 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that blocking the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in mice led to reversible inhibition of body coat hair morphogenesis, while whisker development was unaffected.

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54 citations , December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

research Changes in Populations of HLA-DR+CD3+ Cells and CD57–CD16+ Cells in Alopecia Areata After Corticosteroid Therapy

5 citations , January 1994 in “Dermatology”

This study found that severe forms of alopecia areata showed increased activated T cells and natural killer cells, which decreased after corticosteroid treatment, correlating with disease activity and hair regrowth.

research Profile of Alopecia Areata: A Questionnaire Analysis of Patients and Families

161 citations , March 1992 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study analyzed survey responses from 800 alopecia areata patients and found a possible genetic association with increased insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in relatives but not in the patients themselves.

research Immunohistochemical and Electron Microscopic Characterization of the Cellular Infiltrate in Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

78 citations , July 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”