Selective Inhibition of Tyrosine Kinase 2 Prevents and Restores Interleukin-12-Induced Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Collapse: A Novel Approach to Alopecia Areata Therapy?

The study investigated the role of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the immune-mediated hair loss disorder alopecia areata (AA) and explored the potential of the tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, BMS-986202, as a therapeutic approach. It was found that IL-12, in combination with IL-18, induced immune privilege (IP) collapse in hair follicles by upregulating MHC-I and II and increasing IFNγ-inducible genes, which are associated with AA. The study demonstrated that BMS-986202 could prevent or reverse these effects by blocking IL-12 receptor signaling, thus reducing IFNγ secretion and immune cell expansion. These findings suggested that IL-12 played a significant role in AA pathogenesis and could be a target for new treatments.