The role of lymphocytes in the development and treatment of alopecia areata

• Published in: Expert review of clinical immunology Vol. 11; no. 12; p. 1335
• Main Authors: Guo, Hongwei, Cheng, Yabin, Shapiro, Jerry, McElwee, Kevin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Alopecia Areata - immunology; Alopecia Areata - pathology; Alopecia Areata - therapy; Autoantigens - immunology; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Autoimmune Diseases - pathology; Autoimmune Diseases - therapy; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - pathology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - pathology; Humans; Signal Transduction - immunology; autoimmune inflammation; pathogenesis; treatment; hair follicles; lymphocytes; alopecia areata
• ISSN: 1744-8409
• DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2015.1085306

Alopecia areata (AA) development is associated with both innate and adaptive immune cell activation, migration to peri- and intra-follicular regions, and hair follicle disruption. Both CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes are abundant in AA lesions; however, CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes are more likely to enter inside hair follicles, circumstantially suggesting that they have a significant role to play in AA development. Several rodent models recapitulate important features of the human autoimmune disease and demonstrate that CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes are fundamentally required for AA induction and perpetuation. However, the initiating events, the self-antigens involved, and the molecular signaling pathways, all need further exploration. Studying CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes and their fate decisions in AA development may reveal new and improved treatment approaches.