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Dainichi T, Iwata M, Kaku Y. Alopecia areata: What's new in the diagnosis and treatment with JAK inhibitors? J Dermatol 2024; 51:196-209. [PMID: 38087654 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) affects individuals of all ages and is intractable in severe relapsing cases. Dermatologists and other healthcare providers should consider AA in the medical context and prioritize treatment. Several randomized controlled clinical studies on Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors with different specificities for the treatment of AA are ongoing. These studies have encouraged us to appreciate the importance of a definitive diagnosis and accurate evaluation of AA before and during treatment. Following our previous review article in 2017, here we provide the second part of this two-review series on the recent progress in the multidisciplinary approaches to AA from more than 1800 articles published between July 2016 and December 2022. This review focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of AA. We also provide the latest information on the safety and efficacy of JAK inhibitors for the treatment of AA and describe their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruki Dainichi
- Department of Dermatology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Japan
| | - Masashi Iwata
- Department of Dermatology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Japan
| | - Yo Kaku
- Department of Dermatology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Japan
- Department of Dermatology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
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2
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Van Acker MM, Schwartz RR, Andrews K, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. Inheritance-Specific Dysregulation of Th1- and Th17-Associated Cytokines in Alopecia Areata. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1285. [PMID: 37759685 PMCID: PMC10527519 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases tend to cluster in families, suggesting genetic predisposition to autoimmunity associated with familial background. We have previously reported similarities in gene expression patterns and PTPN22 polymorphisms between alopecia areata (AA) patients and their healthy relatives, but not unrelated healthy controls. However, the spectrum of disease promoting (or preventing) pathways that may be activated in blood relatives of AA patients remains to be defined. Here, we investigated the extent to which cytokines associated with the Th1 and Th17 pathway are differentially expressed in the blood of patients with AA and its clinical subtypes in comparison to both healthy relatives as well as unrelated healthy controls. A comprehensive set of Th1- and Th17-related cytokines were evaluated by ELISA. We found a significant elevation of the Th17 inducer IL-23, the Th17 product IL-17A, the Th1 hallmark cytokine IFNγ, and TNFα, a Th1 cytokine with relevance to the Th17 pathway in AA patients, regardless of disease subtype, compared to healthy individuals. On further examination, we found that healthy family members grouped together with patients in terms of elevated Th1- and Th17-pathway cytokines in an inheritance-specific manner, distinct from unrelated controls. The elevation of Th17-associated cytokines in healthy controls related to AA patients indicates that Th1 and Th17 dysregulation in AA may be genetically based. Of note, one unrelated control displayed elevated levels of IL-17A and IL-23 similar to those detected in patients. One year after initial blood draw, areas of beard hair loss consistent with the diagnosis of AA were reported by this individual, indicating that the elevation in Th17-related cytokines may have predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Animesh A. Sinha
- Department of Dermatology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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3
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Zeng Z, Li S, Ye Y, Ling Y, Gong Y, Zi X, Yang J, McElwee KJ, Zhang X. Allergen desensitization reduces the severity of relapsed alopecia areata in dust-mite allergic patients. Exp Dermatol 2023. [PMID: 37114716 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14819] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Atopy may be a facilitating factor in some alopecia areata (AA) patients with early disease onset and more severe/extensive AA. The underlying immune mechanisms are unknown, but allergen responses may support a pro-inflammatory environment that indirectly promotes AA. To investigate the long-term effect of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) against house dust mite (HDM) allergy on disease severity and prognosis for AA patients. An observational comparative effectiveness study was conducted on 69 AA patients with HDM allergy. 34 patients received conventional/traditional AA treatment (TrAA) plus AIT (AIT-TrAA), and 35 patients received TrAA alone. Serum total immunoglobulin E (tIgE), HDM specific IgE (sIgE), HDM specific IgG4 (sIgG4) and cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-33, IFNγ) were quantified in these patients, together with 58 non-allergic AA patients and 40 healthy controls. At the end of the 3-year desensitization course, the AIT-TrAA group presented with lower SALT scores than the TrAA group, especially in non-alopecia totalis/universalis (AT/U) patients and pre-adolescent AT/U patients (age ≤ 14). In patients with elevated tIgE levels before AIT, a decrease in tIgE was correlated to reduced extent of AA on completion of the AIT course. After desensitization, elevation of IL-5 and decrease of IL-33 were observed in HDM allergic-AA patients. Desensitization to HDM in allergic AA patients reduces the severity of relapse-related hair loss over the 3-year AIT treatment course, possibly via opposing Th2 dominance. This adjunctive treatment may help reduce disease severity and curtail the disease process in allergic patients with AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixun Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Shuifeng Li
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yanting Ye
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yunxia Ling
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yugang Gong
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xue Zi
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Kevin J McElwee
- Centre for Skin Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Xingqi Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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Ex Vivo Treatment with Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells of a Healthy Donor on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata: Targeting Dysregulated T Cells and the Acquisition of Immunotolerance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113228. [PMID: 36362015 PMCID: PMC9655710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition related to the collapse of the immune privilege of hair follicles. Certain AA populations present severe clinical manifestations, such as total scalp hair or body hair loss and a treatment refractory property. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of allogenic human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from healthy donors on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of severe AA patients, with a focus on the change in the cell fraction of Th1, Th17, and Treg cells and immunomodulatory functions. PBMCs of 10 AA patients and eight healthy controls were collected. Levels of Th17, Th1, and Treg subsets were determined via flow cytometry at baseline, activation status, and after co-culturing with hMSCs. All participants were severe AA patients with SALT > 50 and with a long disease duration. While the baseline Th1 and Treg levels of AA patients were comparable to those of healthy controls, their Th17 levels were significantly lower than those of the controls. When stimulated, the levels of CD4+IFN-γ+ T cells of the AA patients rose sharply compared to the baseline, which was not the case in those of healthy controls. The cell fraction of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells also abruptly increased in AA patients only. Co-culturing with allogenic hMSCs in activated AA PBMCs slightly suppressed the activation levels of CD4+INF-γ+ T cells, whereas it significantly induced the differentiation of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. However, these changes were not prominent in the PBMCs of health controls. To examine the pathomechanisms, PBMCs of healthy donors were treated with IFN-γ to induce AA-like environment and then treated with allogenic grants and compared with ruxolitinib as a positive treatment control. hMSC treatment was shown to significantly inhibit the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-2R, IL-15, and IL-18, and chemokines, such as CCR7 and CCR10, in IFN-treated PBMCs. Interestingly, hMSCs suppressed the activation of JAK/STAT signaling by IFN in PBMCs with an effect that was comparable to that of ruxolitinib. Furthermore, the hMSC treatment showed stronger efficacy in inducing Foxp3, IL-10, and TGF-β mRNA transcription than ruxolitinib in IFN-treated PBMCs. This study suggests that allogenic hMSC treatments have therapeutic potential to induce immune tolerance and anti-inflammatory effects in severe AA patients.
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Use of Contact Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Skin Diseases Other than Alopecia Areata. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2022; 12:2415-2452. [PMID: 36136235 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-022-00818-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, contact immunotherapy with dinitrochlorobenzene, diphencyprone, and squaric acid dibutylester has played an important role in both clinical practice and scientific research. It is listed as the first-line treatment for extensive alopecia areata and was more recently approved for melanoma treatment as an orphan drug in the USA. Moreover, owing to the relative low cost and safety, topical immunotherapy has also been used in many infectious, neoplastic, and inflammatory dermatological diseases. It is especially valuable in vulnerable groups, for cosmetic/pain sensitive areas, or for multiple lesions. In this review, we summarize the current evidence supporting the use of contact immunotherapy for treatment of skin diseases, from articles collected from PubMed database. Owing to space limitation and already numerous studies focusing on alopecia areata, we include only skin diseases other than alopecia areata. In addition to diseases that have been reported to be treated by contact immunotherapy, the hypothesized mechanism, prognosis prediction, efficacy, and safety of these topical agents are discussed.
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Waśkiel-Burnat A, Osińska M, Salińska A, Blicharz L, Goldust M, Olszewska M, Rudnicka L. The Role of Serum Th1, Th2, and Th17 Cytokines in Patients with Alopecia Areata: Clinical Implications. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123397. [PMID: 34943905 PMCID: PMC8699846 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata is a type of non-scarring hair loss. The dysregulation of numerous systemic Th1 (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF, IL-12, and IL-18), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17E, IL-31 and IL-33) and Th17 (IL-17, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23 and TGF-β) cytokines was observed in patients with alopecia areata. Positive correlations between the severity of alopecia areata and an increased serum level of various cytokines including IL-2, TNF, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-17E were reported in the literature. An increased serum level of numerous cytokines, such as IL-2, IL-6, TNF, IL-12, IL-17E, and IL-22, was described as positively correlated with the duration of the disease. Moreover, it was shown that increased pre-treatment serum level of IL-12 was a positive, while increased serum levels of IL-4 and IL-13 were negative prognostic markers for the efficacy of diphenylcyclopropenone. In conclusion, alopecia areata is associated with the dysregulation of systemic Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines with their role in the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and prognosis of the disease. Available data indicate the most significant role of serum IL-2, TNF, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-17E as markers of disease activity. The serum levels IL-4, IL-12 and IL-13 may be useful as potential predictors of diphenylcyclopropenone efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Waśkiel-Burnat
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82A, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.-B.); (M.O.); (A.S.); (L.B.); (M.O.)
| | - Marta Osińska
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82A, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.-B.); (M.O.); (A.S.); (L.B.); (M.O.)
| | - Anna Salińska
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82A, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.-B.); (M.O.); (A.S.); (L.B.); (M.O.)
| | - Leszek Blicharz
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82A, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.-B.); (M.O.); (A.S.); (L.B.); (M.O.)
| | - Mohamad Goldust
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Małgorzata Olszewska
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82A, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.-B.); (M.O.); (A.S.); (L.B.); (M.O.)
| | - Lidia Rudnicka
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82A, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.-B.); (M.O.); (A.S.); (L.B.); (M.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-502-13-24; Fax: +48-22-824-22-00
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Glickman JW, Dubin C, Dahabreh D, Han J, Del Duca E, Estrada YD, Zhang N, Kimmel GW, Singer G, Krueger JG, Pavel AB, Guttman‐Yassky E. An integrated scalp and blood biomarker approach suggests the systemic nature of alopecia areata. Allergy 2021; 76:3053-3065. [PMID: 33721346 DOI: 10.1111/all.14814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by immune dysregulation in both scalp and blood, but a large-scale approach establishing biomarkers of AA incorporating both scalp tissue and serum compartments is lacking. We aimed to characterize the transcriptomic signature of AA lesional and nonlesional scalp compared to healthy scalp and determine its relationship with the blood proteome in the same individuals, with comparative correlations to clinical AA disease severity. METHODS We evaluated lesional and nonlesional scalp tissues and serum from patients with moderate-to-severe AA (n = 18) and healthy individuals (n = 8). We assessed 33,118 genes in AA scalp tissue using RNAseq transcriptomic evaluation and 340 inflammatory proteins in serum using OLINK high-throughput proteomics. Univariate and multivariate approaches were used to correlate disease biomarkers with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT). RESULTS A total of 608 inflammatory genes were differentially expressed in lesional AA scalp (fold change/FCH>1.5, false discovery rate/FDR<0.05) including Th1 (IFNG/IL12B/CXCL11), Th2 (IL13/CCL18), and T-cell activation-related (ICOS) products. Th1/Th2-related markers were significantly correlated with AA clinical severity in lesional/nonlesional tissue, while keratins (KRT35/KRT83/KRT81) were significantly downregulated in lesional compared to healthy scalp (p < .05). Expression of cardiovascular/atherosclerosis-related markers (MMP9/CCL2/IL1RL1/IL33R/ST2/AGER) in lesional scalp correlated with their corresponding serum expression (p < .05). AA scalp demonstrated significantly greater biomarker dysregulation compared to blood. An integrated multivariate approach combining scalp and serum biomarkers improved correlations with disease severity/SALT. CONCLUSION This study contributes a unique understanding of the phenotype of moderate-to-severe AA with an integrated scalp and serum biomarker model suggesting the systemic nature of the disease, advocating for the need for immune-based systemic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W. Glickman
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Celina Dubin
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Dante Dahabreh
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Joseph Han
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Ester Del Duca
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Yeriel D. Estrada
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Ning Zhang
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Grace W. Kimmel
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - Giselle Singer
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
| | - James G. Krueger
- Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology The Rockefeller University New York NY USA
| | - Ana B. Pavel
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The University of Mississippi University MS USA
| | - Emma Guttman‐Yassky
- Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY USA
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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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Mahasaksiri T, Kositkuljorn C, Anuntrangsee T, Suchonwanit P. Application of Topical Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Review and Update. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:1285-1298. [PMID: 33790540 PMCID: PMC8001176 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s297858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of extensive or recalcitrant alopecia areata (AA) is a major clinical challenge. Even after thorough investigation of several medications, its treatment outcomes have remained unsatisfactory. While there is no US Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for AA yet, topical immunotherapy has been a well-documented treatment option. Dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutylester, and diphenylcyclopropenone are three substances that have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of extensive or recalcitrant AA. Despite being commonly used, the mechanism underlying topical immunotherapy is not well-elucidated and a wide range of clinical efficacies have been reported in the literature. The aim of this review was to summarize and update the pharmacology, mechanism of action, therapeutic efficacy, and tolerability of topical immunotherapy in the treatment of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thipprapai Mahasaksiri
- 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
| | - Tanaporn Anuntrangsee
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poonkiat Suchonwanit
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Immunological Properties of Atopic Dermatitis-Associated Alopecia Areata. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052618. [PMID: 33807704 PMCID: PMC7961331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is regarded as a tissue-specific and cell-mediated autoimmune disorder. Regarding the cytokine balance, AA has been considered a type 1 inflammatory disease. On the other hand, AA often complicates atopic dermatitis (AD) and AD is regarded as type 2 inflammatory disease. However, the immunological aspects of AA in relation to AD are still poorly understood. Therefore, we aim to clarify the immunological properties of AD-associated AA. In this study, we performed comparative analysis of the expression of intracytoplasmic cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-13), chemokine receptors (CXCR3 and CCR4) in peripheral blood which were taken from healthy controls, non-atopic AA patients, AA patients with extrinsic AD, and AA patients with intrinsic AD by flowcytometric analysis. We also compared the scalp skin samples taken from AA patients with extrinsic AD before and after treatment with dupilumab. In non-atopic AA patients, the ratios of CD4+IFN-γ+ cells to CD4+IL-4+ cells and CD4+IFN-γ+ cells to CD4+IL-13+ cells were higher than those in AA patients with extrinsic AD. Meanwhile, the ratio of CD8+IFN-γ+ cells to CD8+IL-13+ cells was significantly higher in the non-atopic AA than in the healthy controls. In AA patients with extrinsic AD, the skin AA lesion showed dense infiltration of not only CXCR3+ cells but also CCR4+ cells around hair bulb before dupilumab treatment. However, after the treatment, the number of CXCR3+ cells had no remarkable change while the number of CCR4+ cells significantly decreased. These results indicate that the immunological condition of AA may be different between atopic and non-atopic patients and between extrinsic and intrinsic AD patients. Our study provides an important notion that type 2 immunity may participate in the development of AA in extrinsic AD patients. It may be considered that the immunological state of non-atopic AA is different from that of atopic AA.
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Manchanda Y, Ramamoorthy R. Revisiting pediatric alopecia areata: Newer insights. INDIAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/ijpd.ijpd_109_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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12
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Sterkens A, Lambert J, Bervoets A. Alopecia areata: a review on diagnosis, immunological etiopathogenesis and treatment options. Clin Exp Med 2021; 21:215-230. [PMID: 33386567 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-020-00673-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Patients suffering from alopecia areata (AA) can lose hair in focal regions, the complete scalp, including eyelashes and eyebrows, or even the entire body. The exact pathology is not yet known, but the most described theory is a collapse of the immune privilege system, which can be found in some specific regions of the body. Different treatment options, local and systemic, are available, but none of them have been proven to be effective in the long term as well for every treatment there should be considered for the possible side effects. In many cases, treated or non-treated, relapse often occurs. The prognosis is uncertain and is negatively influenced by the subtypes alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis and characteristics such as associated nail lesions, hair loss for more than 10 years and a positive familial history. The unpredictable course of the disease also makes it a mental struggle and AA patients are more often associated with depression and anxiety compared to the healthy population. Research into immunology and genetics, more particularly in the field of dendritic cells (DC), is recommended for AA as there is evidence of the possible role of DC in the treatment of other autoimmune diseases such as multiple Sclerosis and cancer. Promising therapies for the future treatment of AA are JAK-STAT inhibitors and PRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sterkens
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - J Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - A Bervoets
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
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Gong Y, Luo L, Li L, He X, Lu W, Sha X, Mao Y. Diphenylcyclopropenone plays an effective therapeutic role by up-regulating the TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway in severe alopecia areata. Exp Dermatol 2020; 30:278-283. [PMID: 33325128 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is considered to be the most effective treatment of severe AA. However, the mechanism is unclear and an early predictor for the efficacy needs to be explored. The TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway is an important pathway to initiate and maintain Th2 immune responses. Our previous work suggests this pathway may play a role in severe AA treated with DPCP. Thus, to further investigate the mechanism of TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway in severe AA treated with DPCP and explore the predictor for the efficacy of DPCP therapy, we conducted a prospective study to compare expression levels of TSLP, OX40L, Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL13, and Th1 cytokine IFN-γ in severe AA patients before and after the treatment. Results showed that 21 AA patients were responsive (responders) to the DPCP therapy and 12 were not responsive (non-responders). Responders had lower levels of TSLP, OX40L and IL-13 than non-responders before the treatment. After the DPCP treatment, TSLP, IL-5 and IL-13 increased and IFN-γ decreased in responders while there were no changes of TSLP, IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-γ in non-responders. Our data suggest that the TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway is down-regulated in some severe AA patients and DPCP might play a therapeutic role by up-regulating the pathway in these severe AA patients. The TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway could be a predictor of response to the DPCP therapy for severe AA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yugang Gong
- Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Luo
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Xindu District, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Li
- Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xun He
- Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaowei Sha
- Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yujie Mao
- Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Paus
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA; Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester, and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom; Monasterium Laboratory, Muenster, Germany.
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15
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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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16
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Manimaran RP, Ramassamy S, Rajappa M, Chandrashekar L. Therapeutic outcome of diphencyprone and its correlation with serum cytokine profile in alopecia areata. J DERMATOL TREAT 2020; 33:324-328. [PMID: 32249656 DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1752887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Diphencyprone (DPCP) is considered as the first line of management in severe and extensive alopecia areata. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of DPCP in alopecia areata and identify various prognostic factors and biomarkers associated with clinical response.Materials and methods: The study included participants with patchy and extensive alopecia areata (>30% scalp hair loss) treated with DPCP. Participants with Macdonald Hull and Norris grade 3 and 4 at the end of 6 months were considered as responders. We performed cytokine analysis prior and post-therapy. The protocol was registered with CTRI (REF/2017/09/015424).Results: The response rate was 54.5%. Longer disease duration, nail involvement, and high severity of alopecia tool (SALT) scores were associated with non-response. There was no significant difference in the cytokine levels among responders and non-responders before therapy. Among the responders, we found a significant decrease in IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-9, TGF-β, and IL-13 except for IL-4, which significantly increased whereas, among the non-responders, only IL-17A and IL-13 levels have reduced considerably.Discussion: Diphencyprone reduced the level of Th1, Th17, and Th9 cytokines and increased the level of Th2 cytokines (IL-4) in the present study, which induced remission and promoted hair regrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhavi P Manimaran
- Department of Dermatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Sivaranjini Ramassamy
- Department of Dermatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Medha Rajappa
- Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Laxmisha Chandrashekar
- Department of Dermatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. McElwee
- Centre for Skin Sciences University of Bradford Bradford UK
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Antonella Tosti
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine Miami FL USA
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18
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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.
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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
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