Clinical Relevance for Serum Cold-Inducible RNA-Binding Protein Level in Alopecia Areata

• Published in: Annals of dermatology Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 387 - 392
• Main Authors: Shin, Jung-Min, Ko, Jung-Woo, Kwon, In Sun, Choi, Jong-Won, Hong, Dongkyun, Lee, Jin-Hyup, Seo, Young-Joon, Kim, Chang-Deok, Lee, Jeung-Hoon, Lee, Young, Park, Kyung-Duck
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Dermatological Association; The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology 01.08.2019; 대한피부과학회
• Subjects: Original; 피부과학; Inflammation; RNA-binding proteins; Autoimmune diseases; Alopecia areata
• ISSN: 1013-9087; 2005-3894; 2005-3894
• DOI: 10.5021/ad.2019.31.4.387

Alopecia areata (AA), a chronic, relapsing hair-loss disorder, is considered to be a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) belongs to a family of cold-shock proteins that respond to cold stress, and has been identified as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule that triggers the inflammatory response. Recent studies have shown that high-mobility group box 1, another DAMP molecule, is elevated in serum and scalp tissue of AA patients, suggesting a relationship between DAMP molecules and the pathogenesis of AA. To investigate the clinical significance of serum CIRP levels in AA. The serum levels of CIRP were compared between 68 patients with AA and 20 healthy controls. Additionally, the correlation between CIRP level and various clinical parameters was evaluated. The serum CIRP levels were significantly higher in AA patients compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, there was an association between the serum CIRP level and clinical characteristics, such as disease duration and disease activity. However, there was no significant difference in the serum CIRP level among the clinical types of AA (AA multiplex, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis). These results suggest that CIRP may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AA and could be a potential biologic marker for monitoring the disease activity of AA.