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Yamaguchi HL, Yamaguchi Y, Peeva E. Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo: Commonalities and Differences. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4409. [PMID: 38673994 PMCID: PMC11049978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Both alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo are distinct, heterogenous, and complex disease entities, characterized by nonscarring scalp terminal hair loss and skin pigment loss, respectively. In AA, inflammatory cell infiltrates are in the deep reticular dermis close to the hair bulb (swarm of bees), whereas in vitiligo the inflammatory infiltrates are in the epidermis and papillary dermis. Immune privilege collapse has been extensively investigated in AA pathogenesis, including the suppression of immunomodulatory factors (e.g., transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1), interleukin-10 (IL-10), α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)) and enhanced expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) throughout hair follicles. However, immune privilege collapse in vitiligo remains less explored. Both AA and vitiligo are autoimmune diseases that share commonalities in pathogenesis, including the involvement of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (and interferon-α (IFN- α) signaling pathways) and cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (and activated IFN-γ signaling pathways). Blood chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 9 (CXCL9) and CXCL10 are elevated in both diseases. Common factors that contribute to AA and vitiligo include oxidative stress, autophagy, type 2 cytokines, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway (e.g., dickkopf 1 (DKK1)). Here, we summarize the commonalities and differences between AA and vitiligo, focusing on their pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuji Yamaguchi
- Inflammation & Immunology Research Unit, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Elena Peeva
- Inflammation & Immunology Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
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2
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Dainichi T, Iwata M, Kaku Y. Alopecia areata: What's new in the epidemiology, comorbidities, and pathogenesis? J Dermatol Sci 2023; 112:120-127. [PMID: 37833164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, acquired, and nonscarring type of hair loss that affects people of every generation and is intractable in severe and relapsing cases. Patients with AA, especially those with greater scalp involvement, have poor health-related quality-of-life scores. PURPOSE Following our previous review article in the April 2017 issue of the Journal of Dermatological Science, we aim to provide a pair of review articles on recent progress in multidisciplinary approaches to AA. MAIN FINDINGS We found more than 1800 publications on AA from July 2016 to December 2022. CONCLUSIONS In this review, we focused on the latest information on the epidemiology, comorbidities, and pathogenesis of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruki Dainichi
- Department of Dermatology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan.
| | - Masashi Iwata
- Department of Dermatology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Yo Kaku
- Department of Dermatology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan; Department of Dermatology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
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Passeron T, King B, Seneschal J, Steinhoff M, Jabbari A, Ohyama M, Tobin DJ, Randhawa S, Winkler A, Telliez JB, Martin D, Lejeune A. Inhibition of T-cell activity in alopecia areata: recent developments and new directions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1243556. [PMID: 38022501 PMCID: PMC10657858 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1243556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that has a complex underlying immunopathogenesis characterized by nonscarring hair loss ranging from small bald patches to complete loss of scalp, face, and/or body hair. Although the etiopathogenesis of AA has not yet been fully characterized, immune privilege collapse at the hair follicle (HF) followed by T-cell receptor recognition of exposed HF autoantigens by autoreactive cytotoxic CD8+ T cells is now understood to play a central role. Few treatment options are available, with the Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor baricitinib (2022) and the selective JAK3/tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (TEC) inhibitor ritlecitinib (2023) being the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved systemic medications thus far for severe AA. Several other treatments are used off-label with limited efficacy and/or suboptimal safety and tolerability. With an increased understanding of the T-cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory pathogenesis of AA, additional therapeutic pathways beyond JAK inhibition are currently under investigation for the development of AA therapies. This narrative review presents a detailed overview about the role of T cells and T-cell-signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of AA, with a focus on those pathways targeted by drugs in clinical development for the treatment of AA. A detailed summary of new drugs targeting these pathways with expert commentary on future directions for AA drug development and the importance of targeting multiple T-cell-signaling pathways is also provided in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Passeron
- University Côte d’Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nice, Department of Dermatology, Nice, France
- University Côte d’Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France
| | - Brett King
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Julien Seneschal
- Department of Dermatology and Paediatric Dermatology, National Reference Centre for Rare Skin Diseases, Saint-André Hospital, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), ImmunoConcept, UMR5164, Bordeaux, France
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali Jabbari
- Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Manabu Ohyama
- Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Desmond J. Tobin
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Dahabreh D, Jung S, Renert-Yuval Y, Bar J, Del Duca E, Guttman-Yassky E. Alopecia Areata: Current Treatments and New Directions. Am J Clin Dermatol 2023; 24:895-912. [PMID: 37606849 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-023-00808-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss disease that is non-scarring and is characterized by chronic inflammation at the hair follicle level. Clinically, patients' presentation varies from patchy, circumscribed scalp involvement to total body and scalp hair loss. Current management is guided by the degree of scalp and body involvement, with topical and intralesional steroid injections as primarily first-line for mild cases and broad immunosuppressants as the mainstay for more severe cases. Until recently, the limited number of blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials for this disease had made establishing an evidence-based treatment paradigm challenging. However, growing insights into the pathogenesis of alopecia areata through blood and tissue analysis of human lesions have identified several promising targets for therapy. T-helper (Th) 1/interferon skewing has traditionally been described as the driver of disease; however, recent investigations suggest activation of additional immune mediators, including the Th2 pathway, interleukin (IL)-9, IL-23, and IL-32, as contributors to alopecia areata pathogenesis. The landscape of alopecia areata treatment has the potential to be transformed, as several novel targeted drugs are currently undergoing clinical trials. Given the recent US FDA approval of baricitinib and ritlecitinib, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a promising drug class for treating severe alopecia areata cases. This article will review the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of current treatments for alopecia areata, and will provide an overview of the emerging therapies that are leading the revolution in the management of this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dante Dahabreh
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 E. 98th Street, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Seungyeon Jung
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 E. 98th Street, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yael Renert-Yuval
- Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Bar
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 E. 98th Street, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ester Del Duca
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 E. 98th Street, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Emma Guttman-Yassky
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 E. 98th Street, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Sánchez-Pellicer P, Navarro-Moratalla L, Núñez-Delegido E, Agüera-Santos J, Navarro-López V. How Our Microbiome Influences the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101860. [PMID: 36292745 PMCID: PMC9601531 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata is a multifactorial autoimmune-based disease with a complex pathogenesis. As in all autoimmune diseases, genetic predisposition is key. The collapse of the immune privilege of the hair follicle leading to scalp loss is a major pathogenic event in alopecia areata. The microbiota considered a bacterial ecosystem located in a specific area of the human body could somehow influence the pathogenesis of alopecia areata, as it occurs in other autoimmune diseases. Moreover, the Next Generation Sequencing of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene and the metagenomic methodology have provided an excellent characterization of the microbiota. The aim of this narrative review is to examine the published literature on the cutaneous and intestinal microbiota in alopecia areata to be able to establish a pathogenic link. In this review, we summarize the influence of the microbiota on the development of alopecia areata. We first introduce the general pathogenic mechanisms that cause alopecia areata to understand the influence that the microbiota may exert and then we summarize the studies that have been carried out on what type of gut and skin microbiota is found in patients with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Sánchez-Pellicer
- MiBioPath Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Catholic University of Murcia, Campus de los Jerónimos 135, 30107 Murcia, Spain
| | - Laura Navarro-Moratalla
- MiBioPath Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Catholic University of Murcia, Campus de los Jerónimos 135, 30107 Murcia, Spain
| | - Eva Núñez-Delegido
- MiBioPath Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Catholic University of Murcia, Campus de los Jerónimos 135, 30107 Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Agüera-Santos
- MiBioPath Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Catholic University of Murcia, Campus de los Jerónimos 135, 30107 Murcia, Spain
| | - Vicente Navarro-López
- MiBioPath Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Catholic University of Murcia, Campus de los Jerónimos 135, 30107 Murcia, Spain
- Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Vinalopó-Fisabio, Carrer Tonico Sansano Mora 14, 03293 Elche, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Wu M, Xu C, Jiang J, Xu S, Xiong J, Fan X, Ji K, Zhao Y, Ni H, Wang Y, Liu H, Xia Z. JAM-A facilitates hair follicle regeneration in Alopecia Areata through functioning as ceRNA to protect VCAN expression in dermal papilla cells. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2022; 5:pbac020. [PMID: 36132055 PMCID: PMC9486988 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbac020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The dermal papilla cells in hair follicles function as critical regulators of hair growth. In particular, alopecia areata (AA) is closely related to the malfunctioning of the human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Thus, identifying the regulatory mechanism of hDPCs is important in inducing hair follicle (HF) regeneration in AA patients. Recently, growing evidence has indicated that 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTR) of key genes may participate in the regulatory circuitry underlying cell differentiation and diseases through a so-called competing endogenous mechanism, but none have been reported in HF regeneration. Here, we demonstrate that the 3′ UTR of junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) could act as an essential competing endogenous RNA to maintain hDPCs function and promote HF regeneration in AA. We showed that the 3′ UTR of JAM-A shares many microRNA (miRNA) response elements, especially miR-221–3p, with versican (VCAN) mRNA, and JAM-A 3′ UTR could directly modulate the miRNA-mediated suppression of VCAN in self-renewing hDPCs. Furthermore, upregulated VCAN can in turn promote the expression level of JAM-A. Overall, we propose that JAM-A 3′ UTR forms a feedback loop with VCAN and miR-221–3p to regulate hDPC maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation, which may lead to developing new therapies for hair loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjuan Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
- Burns Institute of People's Liberation Army, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
- Spine Center, Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University , 415th Feng Yang Road, Shanghai 200003 , China
| | - Junfeng Jiang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Sha Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Jun Xiong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Xiaoming Fan
- Burns Institute of People's Liberation Army, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Kaihong Ji
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Yunpeng Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Haitao Ni
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
- Translational Medicine Center, Naval Medical University , 800th Xiangyin Road, Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - Houqi Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
| | - Zhaofan Xia
- Burns Institute of People's Liberation Army, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University , Shanghai, 200433 , China
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Watson VE, Faniel ML, Kamili NA, Krueger LD, Zhu C. Immune-mediated alopecias and their mechanobiological aspects. Cells Dev 2022; 170:203793. [PMID: 35649504 PMCID: PMC10681075 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2022.203793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alopecia is a non-specific term for hair loss clinically diagnosed by the hair loss pattern and histological analysis of patient scalp biopsies. The immune-mediated alopecia subtypes, including alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, are common, significant forms of alopecia subtypes. For example, alopecia areata is the most common autoimmune disease with a lifetime incidence of approximately 2% of the world's population. In this perspective, we discuss major results from studies of immune-mediated alopecia subtypes. These studies suggest the key event in disease onset as the collapse in immune privilege, which alters the hair follicle microenvironment, e.g., upregulation of major histocompatibility complex molecules and increase of cytokine production, and results in immune cell infiltration, inflammatory responses, and damage of hair follicles. We note that previous studies have established that the hair follicle has a complex mechanical microenvironment, which may regulate the function of not only tissue cells but also immune cell infiltrates. This suggests a potential for mechanobiology to contribute to alopecia research by adding new methods, new approaches, and new ways of thinking, which is missing in the existing literature. To fill this a gap in the alopecia research space, we develop a mechanobiological hypothesis that alterations in the hair follicle microenvironment, specifically in the mechanically responsive tissues and cells, partially due to loss of immune privilege, may be contributors to disease pathology. We further focus our discussion on the potential for applying mechanoimmunology to the study of T cell infiltrates in the hair follicle, as they are considered primary contributors to alopecia pathology. To establish the connection between the mechanoimmunological hypothesis and immune-mediated alopecia subtypes, we discuss what is known about the role of T cells in immune-mediated alopecia subtypes, using the most extensively studied AA as our model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valencia E Watson
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, USA; Bioengineering PhD Program, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Makala L Faniel
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, USA; Bioengineering PhD Program, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Loren D Krueger
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, USA; Bioengineering PhD Program, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Connell SJ, Jabbari A. The current state of knowledge of the immune ecosystem in alopecia areata. Autoimmun Rev 2022; 21:103061. [PMID: 35151885 PMCID: PMC9018517 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 2% of the general population. Patients with AA most commonly present with one or more patches of hair loss on the scalp in defined circular areas. A fraction of patients progress to more severe forms of the disease, in some cases with involvement of all body surfaces. The healthy anagen stage hair follicle is considered an immune privileged site, described as an environment that suppresses inflammatory immune responses. However, in AA, this immune privileged state collapses and marks the hair follicle as a target for the immune system, resulting in peri- and intrafollicular infiltration by lymphocytes. The complexity of the inflammatory ecosystem of the immune response to the hair follicle, and the relationships between the cellular and soluble participants, in AA remains incompletely understood. Many studies have demonstrated the presence of various immune cells around diseased hair follicles; however, often little is known about their respective contributions to AA pathogenesis. Furthering our understanding of the mechanisms of disease in AA is essential for the novel identification of targeted therapeutics that are efficacious and have few unintended effects.
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Fukuyama M, Ito T, Ohyama M. Alopecia areata: Current understanding of the pathophysiology and update on therapeutic approaches, featuring the Japanese Dermatological Association guidelines. J Dermatol 2021; 49:19-36. [PMID: 34709679 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.16207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a relatively common nonscarring hairloss disease characterized by an autoimmune response to anagen hair follicles (HFs). Accumulated evidence suggests that collapse of the HF immune privilege subsequent to triggering events, represented by viral infection, leads to autoimmune response in which autoreactive cytotoxic CD8+NKG2D+ T cells mainly target exposed HF autoantigens. AA had been recognized as type 1 inflammatory disease, but recent investigations have suggested some roles of type 2- and Th17-associated mediators in AA pathogenesis. The significance of psychological stress in AA pathogenesis is less emphasized nowadays, but psychological comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, attract greater interest in AA management. In this regard, the disease severity may not solely be evaluated by the extent of hair loss. Use of trichoscopy markedly improved the resolution of the diagnosis and evaluation of the phase of AA, which is indispensable for the optimization of treatment. For the standardization of AA management, the establishment of guidelines/expert consensus is pivotal. Indeed, the Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) and other societies and expert groups have published guidelines/expert consensus reports, which mostly recommend intralesional/topical corticosteroid administration and contact immunotherapy as first-line treatments, depending on the age, disease severity, and activity of AA. The uniqueness of the JDA guidelines can be found in their descriptions of intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy, antihistamines, and other miscellaneous domestically conducted treatments. Considering the relatively high incidence of spontaneous regression in mild AA and its intractability in severe subsets, the importance of course observation is also noted. Evidenced-based medicine for AA is currently limited, however, novel therapeutic approaches, represented by JAK inhibitors, are on their way for clinical application. In this review, the latest understanding of the etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology, and update on therapeutic approaches with future perspectives are summarized for AA, following the current version of the JDA AA management guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Fukuyama
- Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taisuke Ito
- Department of Dermatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Manabu Ohyama
- Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Zhou C, Li X, Wang C, Zhang J. Alopecia Areata: an Update on Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2021; 61:403-423. [PMID: 34403083 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common chronic tissue-specific autoimmune disease, resulting in hair loss, that affects up to 2% of the general population. The exact pathobiology of AA has still remained elusive, while the common theory is the collapse of the immune privilege of the hair follicle caused by immunological mechanism. Multiple genetic and environment factors contribute to the pathogenesis of AA. There are several clinical treatments for AA, varying from one or multiple well-defined patches to more diffuse or total hair loss of the scalp (alopecia totalis) or hair loss of the entire body (alopecia universalis). The available treatments for AA, such as corticosteroids and other immunomodulators, minoxidil, and contact immunotherapy, are of limited efficacy with a high risk of adverse effects and high recurrence rates, especially for patients with severe AA. Recent insights into the pathogenesis of AA have led to the development of new treatment strategies, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, biologics, and several small molecular agents. In addition, modern therapies for AA, including antihistamines, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, and other novel therapies have been well explored. In this review, we discussed the recent advances in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangqian Li
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Jianzhong Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China.
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Suchonwanit P, Kositkuljorn C, Pomsoong C. Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease of Multiple Players. Immunotargets Ther 2021; 10:299-312. [PMID: 34350136 PMCID: PMC8328385 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s266409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease of the hair follicles. It is characterized by a well-defined non-scarring alopecic patch or patches that may extend to the entire scalp or lead to total body hair loss. Due to its unpredictable clinical course, AA causes substantial psychological harm. Despite the high prevalence of this disease and extensive research, its exact pathomechanism is unclear, and current treatments have a high relapse rate that has deemed AA incurable. Over the past few decades, researchers have investigated multiple potential factors that may help alleviate its pathogenesis and provide effective treatment. Given its complex immunopathogenesis, AA is considered an autoimmune disease with multiple factors. This review gathers current evidence that emphasizes molecular mechanisms, possible causative etiologies, and targeted immunotherapies for AA. Understanding its underlying mechanisms may shed light on new strategies to effectively manage AA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonkiat Suchonwanit
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chaninan Kositkuljorn
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Cherrin Pomsoong
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Hashimoto K, Yamada Y, Sekiguchi K, Mori S, Matsumoto T. NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to development of alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice. Exp Dermatol 2021; 31:133-142. [PMID: 34270818 PMCID: PMC9291919 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune non‐scarring hair loss disease. Recently, several reports have suggested that innate immune systems such as interferon‐α (IFN‐α)‐producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells and NOD‐like receptor family pyrin domain‐containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes play a role in the pathogenesis of AA. However, critical studies about their involvement in the initiation of AA have not yet been reported. Therefore, we investigated the expression of innate immune cytokines in serum and skin, and examined the effect of a selective NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, on AA in C3H/HeJ mice, induced by transferring cultured skin‐draining lymph node cells. IFN‐α production was upregulated in lesions of AA‐affected mice, and interleukin‐1β in serum and skin was highly expressed before onset as well as postonset. Furthermore, MCC950 treatment prevented AA development and promoted hair growth in AA mouse models by reducing NLRP3 signalling and Th1/Tc1 chemokines and cytokines in the skin. These results suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to AA onset and chronicity, and NLRP3 inhibitor may be a potential therapeutic agent for AA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sachi Mori
- Kyoto R&D Center, Maruho Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan
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13
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Omar SI, Hamza AM, Eldabah N, Habiba DA. IFN-α and TNF-α serum levels and their association with disease severity in Egyptian children and adults with alopecia areata. Int J Dermatol 2021; 60:1397-1404. [PMID: 34008204 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by abnormal levels of several cytokines, such as interferon alpha (IFN-α) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which are T-helper type 1 cytokines that have important roles in the pathogenesis of AA. The aim of our study was to correlate circulating IFN-α and TNF-α levels with disease severity, activity, and clinical type in patients with AA and to evaluate the relationship between the two cytokines. METHODS We investigated serum IFN-α and TNF-α levels in 72 patients with AA (35 children and 35 adults) and 75 healthy control individuals (34 children and 41 adults) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. We evaluated AA severity using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) and determined the activity based on dermoscopic criteria of disease activity. RESULTS Serum IFN-α and TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between serum IFN-α and TNF-α levels in all patients with alopecia areata, as well as between serum TNF-α levels and disease severity in all patients and in children. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the association between IFN-α and TNF-α levels and AA and suggest that TNF-α might be related to disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa I Omar
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ashraf M Hamza
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nermeen Eldabah
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Doaa A Habiba
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Abou-Rahal J, Abdullah L, Kurban M, Abbas O. Letter to the editor regarding the article ''Rossi A, Magri F, Michelini S, et al. New onset of alopecia areata in a patient with SARS-COV-2 infection: Possible pathogenetic correlations? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Mar 19. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14080". J Cosmet Dermatol 2021; 20:1951-1952. [PMID: 33853206 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jihane Abou-Rahal
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lina Abdullah
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mazen Kurban
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ossama Abbas
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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15
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Hashimoto K, Yamada Y, Sekiguchi K, Matsuda S, Mori S, Matsumoto T. Induction of alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice using cryopreserved lymphocytes. J Dermatol Sci 2021; 102:177-183. [PMID: 33994063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease resulting in non-scarring hair loss. Animal models are useful means to identify candidates for therapeutic agents. The C3H/HeJ mouse AA model induced via transferring cultured lymphoid cells isolated from AA-affected mice is widely used for AA research. However, this conventional method requires the continuous breeding of AA mice. OBJECTIVE We aimed to establish a new method to generate AA model using the transfer of cryopreserved cells, which allows the rapid induction of a large number of AA mice when needed. METHODS We cryopreserved lymph node cells soon after isolation from AA-affected mice and injected thawed-cultured cells into recipient mice. H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining, quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA were conducted to identify pathological characteristics. Flow cytometry was performed to reveal the profile of transferred cells. RESULTS More than 90 % of recipient mice developed AA-like hair loss and showed inflammatory cell infiltration around anagen hair follicles, markedly increased mRNA expressions of interferon-γ, CXCL11, and granzyme B, and elevated interferon-α protein levels in the skin compared with naïve mice. Higher percentages of effector memory T cells and dendritic cells in transferred cells resulted in a higher incidence of AA. CONCLUSION This is the first report to establish a method for generating AA mice using cryopreserved lymphocytes. These AA mice have similar pathological characteristics to AA mice generated with the conventional method and AA patients. This convenient and reproducible method is expected to be valuable for AA study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sachi Mori
- Kyoto R&D Center, Maruho Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan
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16
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Eid E, Abou-Rahal J, Khoury D, Kurban M, Abbas O. Reply to ''Coexistence of frontal fibrosing alopecia and alopecia areata: 3 new cases and review of the literature'': plasmacytoid dendritic cell as possible link. Int J Dermatol 2021; 60:e234-e235. [PMID: 33590490 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edward Eid
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jihane Abou-Rahal
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Dana Khoury
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mazen Kurban
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ossama Abbas
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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17
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Bertolini M, McElwee K, Gilhar A, Bulfone‐Paus S, Paus R. Hair follicle immune privilege and its collapse in alopecia areata. Exp Dermatol 2020; 29:703-725. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin McElwee
- Monasterium Laboratory Münster Germany
- Centre for Skin Sciences University of Bradford Bradford UK
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Amos Gilhar
- Laboratory for Skin Research Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion‐Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Silvia Bulfone‐Paus
- Monasterium Laboratory Münster Germany
- Centre for Dermatology Research University of Manchester and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre Manchester UK
| | - Ralf Paus
- Monasterium Laboratory Münster Germany
- Centre for Dermatology Research University of Manchester and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre Manchester UK
- Dr. Philip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami FL USA
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18
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Ito T, Kageyama R, Nakazawa S, Honda T. Understanding the significance of cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. Exp Dermatol 2020; 29:726-732. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Ito
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
| | - Reiko Kageyama
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nakazawa
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
| | - Tetsuya Honda
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
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Eid E, Abou-Rahal J, Kurban M, Abbas O. Reply to "Associations between alopecia areata and multiple sclerosis: a report of two cases and review of the literature": Possible role of plasmacytoid dendritic cell in both diseases. Int J Dermatol 2020; 59:e339-e340. [PMID: 32578202 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edward Eid
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jihane Abou-Rahal
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mazen Kurban
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ossama Abbas
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Ito T, Suzuki T, Funakoshi A, Fujiyama T, Tokura Y. CCR5 is a novel target for the treatment of experimental alopecia areata. JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cia2.12092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Ito
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
| | - Takahiro Suzuki
- Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami FL USA
| | - Atsuko Funakoshi
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
| | - Toshiharu Fujiyama
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
| | - Yoshiki Tokura
- Department of Dermatology Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Hamamatsu Japan
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