Alopecia areata and interleukin-2 receptor

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a lymphokine produced by activated T cells and its receptor (IL-2R) is expressed on T cells; one of the IL-2R components can be measured as a soluble serum protein (sIL-2R). Levels of sIL-2R were measured as a sign of T cell activation in serum of 12 patients suffering from alopecia areata (totalis or universalis) and in a group of healthy control subjects. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of sIL-2R in blood samples drawn during both the active and resting phase of the disease. In patients with alopecia areata in active phase the sIL-2R concentrations were significantly higher than in stable phase and in controls. The biologic role of sIL-2R is still unknown, but one could speculate that T lymphocyte activation with subsequent secretion of IL-2 and IL-2R expression may contribute to the immune inflammatory mechanism of alopecia areata.

[The value of serologic inflammatory parameters in the diagnosis of alopecia areata]

Even recently, focal processes or inflammatory diseases have repeatedly been discussed as the possible causes of alopecia areata (AA) and corresponding diagnostic measures are still recommended. Therefore, we initially attempted to find definite indications of processes like these in AA patients by means of serologic parameters of inflammation and ESR as well as supplementary clinical focal diagnostics. The data obtained revealed increased titers of antistreptolysin in 2.9% and antistreptococcal DNase B in 25.7%, positive C-reactive protein in 8.6%, positive rheumatoid factor in 4.3%, and elevated ESR in 11.7% of the cases. After these data had carefully been compared to those in healthy persons, only the titer of antistreptococcal DNase B and the ESR were found to be increased. In the majority of the cases, these elevations correlated with concomitant bacterial infections detected by clinical focal diagnostics. Antistreptococcal DNase B titer and ESR seem to be the most appropriate of all our test parameters to provide some indications of a focal process or concomitant inflammatory diseases. The remaining parameters are not indicated in AA.

[Alopecia areata: appropriateness of various laboratory parameters]

Over the past four years 190 patients with alopecia areata have been examined: hematochemical parameters have been assessed in each patient and the possible presence of organ-and non-organ-specific circulating antibodies has been assayed. No significant alterations were found with regard to the different hematochemical parameters examined. On the other hand, a highly significant increase of anti-gastric parietal cell autoantibodies was observed in patients with alopecia areata and alopecia universalis in comparison to normal control subjects; in addition, patients with alopecia universalis showed a significant increase of anti-thyroid antibodies.

[Increase in Leu7- Leu11+ cells in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with alopecia areata]

Natural killer (NK) cell subsets in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with alopecia areata (AA) were investigated by FACStar-I using NK cell specific monoclonal antibodies. The patients were classified into one of 2 types (Type A: single AA in regrowth phase; Type B: multiple AA, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis in non-regrowth phase). The percentages of Leu7- Leu11+ cells in Type B were significantly higher than those of the normal control. The increase in Leu7- Leu11+ cells in Type B suggests that NK cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AA in the non-regrowth phase.

[Anxiety structure and catecholamine parameters in patients with rosacea, alopecia areata and lichen ruber planus]

90 patients suffering from selected dermatoses (rosacea, alopecia areata, lichen planus) underwent psychological tests of examination with special regard to verification of their anxiety structures. Urinalysis of catechol amine levels was simultaneously carried out in these patients. The test results proved a marked correlation between psychological factors and the activity of the adrenergic system. High level of activity, emotional unstableness, as well as tendencies to neurotic activities are connected with increased secretion of adrenaline and decreased secretion of noradrenaline++ and dopamine. The lability of catechol amine secretion (statistically significant variation above or below the physiological standard) is the cause of functional disorders.

Alopecia areata, vitiligo, scleroderma and ulcerative colitis

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