Role of Regulatory T Cells in Pathogenesis and Therapeutics of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder causing nonscarring hair loss due to the immunological collapse of hair follicles, primarily involving interferon-gamma and CD8+ T cells. The pathogenesis of AA remains unclear, and current treatments often result in high relapse rates and poor efficacy. Recent studies highlight the role of regulatory T cells (Treg) in AA, showing that compromised Treg cells in the lesional scalp lead to dysregulated local immunity and hinder hair follicle regeneration. Enhancing Treg cells in AA patients could mitigate abnormal autoimmunity and promote hair growth, suggesting that Treg cell-based therapies may offer a more effective treatment approach for AA.