Expansion Of Regulatory T Cells Restrains Pathogenic CD8 T Cells In A Murine Model Of Alopecia Areata

    July 2024 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”
    M. Lensing, S.J. Connell, P. Kahl, Zhaowen Zhu, O. Ayush, A. Jabbari
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    Studysummary Expanding regulatory T cells may help treat alopecia areata by reducing harmful immune cells.
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    This study investigates the potential of expanding CD4 T regulatory cells (Tregs) as a therapeutic strategy for Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune disease causing hair loss. In a murine model, researchers used an IL-2 cytokine/antibody complex to expand Tregs, which successfully prevented AA onset and arrested disease progression by skewing the Tregs to CD8 T cells ratio in favor of Tregs. This treatment significantly reduced pathogenic NKG2D+ and IFNg-producing CD8 T cells in the skin. Additionally, combining Treg expansion with a systemic corticosteroid extended the protective effects after treatment cessation. These findings suggest that Treg enrichment could be a promising alternative therapy for AA patients.
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