Ultrastructural Abnormalities in the Dermal Papillae of Lesional and Clinically Normal Follicles from Alopecia Areata Scalps
August 1996
in “
British Journal of Dermatology
”
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This study investigated the ultrastructure of dermal papillae in both lesional and clinically normal follicles from alopecia areata scalps. It found that dermal papillae in alopecia areata, even in non-balding areas, were less organized and showed signs of cell injury, abnormal pigment levels, increased fibrous material, and thickened dermal papilla-epithelial junctions. These abnormalities suggest that dermal papilla cells in alopecia areata may have impaired ability to synthesize and transport regulatory factors, indicating a potential early pathological role in the condition. However, it remained unclear whether these changes were a primary cause or a secondary response in the disease process.
