1
|
Gao L, Zhang HL, Tan XY, Wang YG, Song H, Yuan VL, Liao XH. Sensitive Quantitative In Vivo Assay for Evaluating the Effects of Biomolecules on Hair Growth and Coloring Using Direct Microinjections into Mouse Whisker Follicles. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1076. [PMID: 37509112 PMCID: PMC10377598 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Many people suffer from hair loss and abnormal skin pigmentation, highlighting the need for simple assays to support drug discovery research. Current assays have various limitations, such as being in vitro only, not sensitive enough, or unquantifiable. We took advantage of the bilateral symmetry and large size of mouse whisker follicles to develop a novel in vivo assay called "whisker follicle microinjection assay". In this assay, we plucked mouse whiskers and then injected molecules directly into one side of the whisker follicles using microneedles that were a similar size to the whiskers, and we injected solvent on the other side as a control. Once the whiskers grew out again, we quantitatively measured their length and color intensity to evaluate the effects of the molecules on hair growth and coloring. Several chemicals and proteins were used to test this assay. The chemicals minoxidil and ruxolitinib, as well as the protein RSPO1, promoted hair growth. The effect of the clinical drug minoxidil could be detected at a concentration as low as 0.001%. The chemical deoxyarbutin inhibited melanin production. The protein Nbl1 was identified as a novel hair-growth inhibitor. In conclusion, we successfully established a sensitive and quantitative in vivo assay to evaluate the effects of chemicals and proteins on hair growth and coloring and identified a novel regulator by using this assay. This whisker follicle microinjection assay will be useful when investigating protein functions and when developing drugs to treat hair loss and abnormal skin pigmentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lipeng Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - He-Li Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xiao-Yang Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yan-Ge Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Hongzhi Song
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Vicky Lan Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xin-Hua Liao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Trompette A, Ubags ND. Skin barrier immunology from early life to adulthood. Mucosal Immunol 2023; 16:194-207. [PMID: 36868478 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Our skin has a unique barrier function, which is imperative for the body's protection against external pathogens and environmental insults. Although interacting closely and sharing many similarities with key mucosal barrier sites, such as the gut and the lung, the skin also provides protection for internal tissues and organs and has a distinct lipid and chemical composition. Skin immunity develops over time and is influenced by a multiplicity of different factors, including lifestyle, genetics, and environmental exposures. Alterations in early life skin immune and structural development may have long-term consequences for skin health. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on cutaneous barrier and immune development from early life to adulthood, with an overview of skin physiology and immune responses. We specifically highlight the influence of the skin microenvironment and other host intrinsic, host extrinsic (e.g. skin microbiome), and environmental factors on early life cutaneous immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Trompette
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Niki D Ubags
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gao Y, Wang J, Zhu DC, Miao Y, Hu ZQ. Dermal macrophage and its potential in inducing hair follicle regeneration. Mol Immunol 2021; 134:25-33. [PMID: 33706040 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Hair follicle (HF) is an excellent mini-model to study adult tissue regeneration, since it can regenerate itself under appropriate stress settings via interaction with niche components. Dermal macrophages, a group of heterogeneous cell populations, serve as key regulators in this microenvironment. Recent advances in phenotype identification and lineage tracing have unveiled various dermal macrophage subsets involved in stress-induced hair regeneration through different mechanisms, where HF structural integrity is impaired to varying degrees. This review summarized current knowledge regarding the distribution, sources, phenotypes of dermal macrophages in association with HF, as well as the mechanisms underlying macrophage-mediated hair regeneration in response to different internal-stress settings. Further investigation on macrophage dynamics will provide novel cell-targeting therapies for HF engineering and hair loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - De-Cong Zhu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Yong Miao
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
| | - Zhi-Qi Hu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Muneeb F, Hardman JA, Paus R. Hair growth control by innate immunocytes: Perifollicular macrophages revisited. Exp Dermatol 2020; 28:425-431. [PMID: 30920018 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The role of innate immunocytes such as mast cells, γδ T cells, NK cells and macrophages (MACs) in hair growth control under physiological and pathological conditions has recently begun to be re-explored. Here, we revisit the role of resident perifollicular macrophages (pfMACs) located in the hair follicle (HF) mesenchyme (CTS). Substantial, stringently timed fluctuations in the number and localization of pfMACs were first observed long ago during murine HF morphogenesis and cycling. This already suggested some involvement of these innate immunocytes, with a recognized role in tissue remodelling and in hair growth control. The relatively recent demonstration of a Wnt signalling-driven crosstalk between these immunocytes and HF epithelial stem cells in telogen HFs, which promotes anagen induction, has reinvigorated interest in the role that pfMAC plays in hair biology. Besides the apoptosis-associated secretion of stem cell-activating Wnts and the differential secretion of HF-targeting growth factors such as FGF-5 and FGF5s from pfMACs, we also explore how MAC polarization, and thus function, may be influenced by the local metabolic and immune environment. Moreover, we examine how pfMACs may contribute to hair cycle-associated angiogenesis, vascular remodelling, HF immune privilege and immunopathology. On this basis, we discuss why targeting pfMACs may be relevant in the management of hair growth disorders. Finally, we argue that studying pfMACs offers an excellent, clinically relevant model system for characterizing and experimentally manipulating MAC interactions with an easily accessible mammalian, continuously remodelled (mini-)organ under both physiological and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ferhan Muneeb
- School of Medicine, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jonathan A Hardman
- Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester, and the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Ralf Paus
- Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester, and the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, UK.,Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hardman JA, Muneeb F, Pople J, Bhogal R, Shahmalak A, Paus R. Human Perifollicular Macrophages Undergo Apoptosis, Express Wnt Ligands, and Switch their Polarization during Catagen. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 139:2543-2546.e9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
8
|
Gilhar A, Laufer-Britva R, Keren A, Paus R. Frontiers in alopecia areata pathobiology research. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019; 144:1478-1489. [PMID: 31606262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2019.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This current review explores selected and as yet insufficiently investigated frontiers in current alopecia areata (AA) pathobiology research, with an emphasis on potential "new" players in AA pathobiology that deserve more systematic exploration and therapeutic targeting. Indeed, new evidence suggests that CD8+ T cells, which have long been thought to be the central players in AA pathobiology, are not the only drivers of disease. Instead, subsets of natural killer (NK) and so-called "unconventional" T cells (invariant NK T cells, γδ T cells, classic NK cells, and type 1 innate lymphoid cells), all of which can produce large amounts of IFN-γ, might also drive AA pathobiology independent of classical, autoantigen-dependent CD8+ T-cell functions. Another important new frontier is the role of regulatory lymphocyte subsets, such as regulatory T cells, γδ regulatory T cells, NKT10 cells, and perifollicular mast cells, in maintaining physiologic hair follicle immune privilege (IP); the extent to which these functions are defective in patients with AA; and how this IP-protective role could be restored therapeutically in patients with established AA. Broadening our AA research horizon along the lines suggested above promises not only to open the door to innovative and even more effective immunotherapy strategies for AA but will also likely be relevant for other autoimmune disorders in which pathobiology, ectopic MHC class I expression, and IP collapse play an important role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amos Gilhar
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | | | - Aviad Keren
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ralf Paus
- Dr Philipp Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Fla; Dermatology Research Centre, University of Manchester and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Swanson JB, Vagnozzi AN, Veniaminova NA, Wong SY. Loss of Gata6 causes dilation of the hair follicle canal and sebaceous duct. Exp Dermatol 2018; 28:345-349. [PMID: 30033638 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The uppermost aspect of the hair follicle, known as the infundibulum or hair canal, provides a passageway for hair shaft egress and sebum secretion. Recent studies have indicated that the infundibulum and sebaceous ducts are lined by molecularly distinct differentiated cells expressing markers including Keratin 79 and Gata6. Here, we ablated Gata6 from the skin and observed dilation of both the hair canal and sebaceous ducts, independent of gender and hair cycle stage. Constitutive loss of Gata6 yielded only a mild delay in depilation-induced entry into anagen, while unperturbed mutant mice possessed overtly normal skin and hair. Furthermore, we noted that Keratin 79 and Gata6 expression and localization did not depend upon each other. Our findings implicate Gata6 in maintaining the upper hair follicle and suggest that regulation of this transcription factor may be compromised in pathologies such as acne or infundibular cystic diseases that are characterized by abnormal expansion of this follicular domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob B Swanson
- Departments of Dermatology and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Alicia N Vagnozzi
- Departments of Dermatology and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Natalia A Veniaminova
- Departments of Dermatology and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sunny Y Wong
- Departments of Dermatology and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hair follicle dermal sheath derived cells improve islet allograft survival without systemic immunosuppression. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:607328. [PMID: 26000314 PMCID: PMC4427120 DOI: 10.1155/2015/607328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppressive drugs successfully prevent rejection of islet allografts in the treatment of type I diabetes. However, the drugs also suppress systemic immunity increasing the risk of opportunistic infection and cancer development in allograft recipients. In this study, we investigated a new treatment for autoimmune diabetes using naturally immune privileged, hair follicle derived, autologous cells to provide localized immune protection of islet allotransplants. Islets from Balb/c mouse donors were cotransplanted with syngeneic hair follicle dermal sheath cup cells (DSCC, group 1) or fibroblasts (FB, group 2) under the kidney capsule of immune-competent, streptozotocin induced, diabetic C57BL/6 recipients. Group 1 allografts survived significantly longer than group 2 (32.2 ± 12.2 versus 14.1 ± 3.3 days, P < 0.001) without administration of any systemic immunosuppressive agents. DSCC reduced T cell activation in the renal lymph node, prevented graft infiltrates, modulated inflammatory chemokine and cytokine profiles, and preserved better beta cell function in the islet allografts, but no systemic immunosuppression was observed. In summary, DSCC prolong islet allograft survival without systemic immunosuppression by local modulation of alloimmune responses, enhancing of beta cell survival, and promoting of graft revascularization. This novel finding demonstrates the capacity of easily accessible hair follicle cells to be used as local immunosuppression agents in islet transplantation.
Collapse
|
11
|
Castellana D, Paus R, Perez-Moreno M. Macrophages contribute to the cyclic activation of adult hair follicle stem cells. PLoS Biol 2014; 12:e1002002. [PMID: 25536657 PMCID: PMC4275176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Castellana, Paus, and Perez-Moreno discover that skin resident macrophages signal to skin stem cells via Wnt ligands to activate the hair follicle life cycle. Skin epithelial stem cells operate within a complex signaling milieu that orchestrates their lifetime regenerative properties. The question of whether and how immune cells impact on these stem cells within their niche is not well understood. Here we show that skin-resident macrophages decrease in number because of apoptosis before the onset of epithelial hair follicle stem cell activation during the murine hair cycle. This process is linked to distinct gene expression, including Wnt transcription. Interestingly, by mimicking this event through the selective induction of macrophage apoptosis in early telogen, we identify a novel involvement of macrophages in stem cell activation in vivo. Importantly, the macrophage-specific pharmacological inhibition of Wnt production delays hair follicle growth. Thus, perifollicular macrophages contribute to the activation of skin epithelial stem cells as a novel, additional cue that regulates their regenerative activity. This finding may have translational implications for skin repair, inflammatory skin diseases and cancer. The cyclic life of hair follicles consists of recurring phases of growth, decay, and rest. Previous studies have identified signals that prompt a new phase of hair growth through the activation of resting hair follicle stem cells (HF-SCs). In addition to these signals, recent findings have shown that cues arising from the neighboring skin environment, in which hair follicles dwell, also participate in controlling hair follicle growth. Here we show that skin resident macrophages surround and signal to resting HF-SCs, regulating their entry into a new phase of hair follicle growth. This process involves the death and activation of a fraction of resident macrophages— resulting in Wnt ligand release —that in turn activate HF-SCs. These findings reveal additional mechanisms controlling endogenous stem cell pools that are likely to be relevant for modulating stem cell regenerative capabilities. The results provide new insights that may have implications for the development of technologies with potential applications in regeneration, aging, and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donatello Castellana
- Epithelial Cell Biology Group, BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralf Paus
- Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mirna Perez-Moreno
- Epithelial Cell Biology Group, BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Deciphering the functions of the hair follicle infundibulum in skin physiology and disease. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 358:697-704. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-1999-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
13
|
Xiao Y, Williams JS, Brownell I. Merkel cells and touch domes: more than mechanosensory functions? Exp Dermatol 2014; 23:692-5. [PMID: 24862916 DOI: 10.1111/exd.12456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The touch dome (TD) is an innervated structure in the epidermis of mammalian skin. Composed of specialized keratinocytes and neuroendocrine Merkel cells, the TD has distinct molecular characteristics compared to the surrounding epidermal keratinocytes. Much of the research on Merkel cell function has focused on their role in mechanosensation, specifically light touch. Recently, more has been discovered about Merkel cell molecular characteristics and their cells of origin. Here we review Merkel cell and TD biology, and discuss potential functions beyond mechanosensation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xiao
- Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bertolini M, Zilio F, Rossi A, Kleditzsch P, Emelianov VE, Gilhar A, Keren A, Meyer KC, Wang E, Funk W, McElwee K, Paus R. Abnormal interactions between perifollicular mast cells and CD8+ T-cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94260. [PMID: 24832234 PMCID: PMC4022513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a CD8+ T-cell dependent autoimmune disease of the hair follicle (HF) in which the collapse of HF immune privilege (IP) plays a key role. Mast cells (MCs) are crucial immunomodulatory cells implicated in the regulation of T cell-dependent immunity, IP, and hair growth. Therefore, we explored the role of MCs in AA pathogenesis, focusing on MC interactions with CD8+ T-cells in vivo, in both human and mouse skin with AA lesions. Quantitative (immuno-)histomorphometry revealed that the number, degranulation and proliferation of perifollicular MCs are significantly increased in human AA lesions compared to healthy or non-lesional control skin, most prominently in subacute AA. In AA patients, perifollicular MCs showed decreased TGFβ1 and IL-10 but increased tryptase immunoreactivity, suggesting that MCs switch from an immuno-inhibitory to a pro-inflammatory phenotype. This concept was supported by a decreased number of IL-10+ and PD-L1+ MCs, while OX40L+, CD30L+, 4–1BBL+ or ICAM-1+ MCs were increased in AA. Lesional AA-HFs also displayed significantly more peri- and intrafollicular- CD8+ T-cells as well as more physical MC/CD8+ T-cell contacts than healthy or non-lesional human control skin. During the interaction with CD8+ T-cells, AA MCs prominently expressed MHC class I and OX40L, and sometimes 4–1BBL or ICAM-1, suggesting that MC may present autoantigens to CD8+ T-cells and/or co-stimulatory signals. Abnormal MC numbers, activities, and interactions with CD8+ T-cells were also seen in the grafted C3H/HeJ mouse model of AA and in a new humanized mouse model for AA. These phenomenological in vivo data suggest the novel AA pathobiology concept that perifollicular MCs are skewed towards pro-inflammatory activities that facilitate cross-talk with CD8+ T-cells in this disease, thus contributing to triggering HF-IP collapse in AA. If confirmed, MCs and their CD8+ T-cell interactions could become a promising new therapeutic target in the future management of AA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bertolini
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Federica Zilio
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alfredo Rossi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrick Kleditzsch
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Vladimir E. Emelianov
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Chuvash State University Medical School, Cheboksary, Russia
| | - Amos Gilhar
- Laboratory for Skin Research, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- Flieman Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Aviad Keren
- Laboratory for Skin Research, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Katja C. Meyer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Eddy Wang
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Kevin McElwee
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ralf Paus
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Plikus MV. At the dawn of hair research - testing the limits of hair follicle regeneration. Exp Dermatol 2014; 23:314-5. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maksim V. Plikus
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center; University of California; Irvine CA 92697 USA
| |
Collapse
|