717 citations,
June 2010 in “Nature” A genome-wide association study conducted on 1,054 cases and 3,278 controls identified several susceptibility loci for alopecia areata, suggesting the involvement of both innate and adaptive immunity in the disease. The study highlighted significant associations with genes related to regulatory T cells, CTLA4, IL-2/IL-21, IL-2RA, and the HLA region, as well as genes expressed in the hair follicle like PRDX5 and STX17. Notably, the ULBP gene cluster on chromosome 6q25.1, encoding ligands for the natural killer cell receptor NKG2D, was implicated for the first time in autoimmune disease, with ULBP3 expression upregulated in the hair follicle during active disease. This research provided insights into the genetic basis of alopecia areata and suggested a novel mechanism involving ULBP ligand upregulation in autoimmunity.
2 citations,
April 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Frontal fibrosing alopecia shows increased inflammation and JAK-STAT pathway activity without reduced hair proteins.
April 2012 in “Encyclopedia of Life Sciences” Different genes are linked to various types of hair loss.
140 citations,
March 2013 in “The journal of immunology/The Journal of immunology” Memory regulatory T cells need IL-7, not IL-2, to stay in peripheral tissues.
176 citations,
August 2015 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology” Alopecia areata involves immune activation in the scalp, suggesting treatments targeting TH1, TH2, and IL-23 pathways.