T cell subpopulations in alopecia areata

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 216 - 223
• Main Authors: TODES-TAYLOR, N, TURNER, R, WOOD, G. S, STRATTE, P. T, MORHENN, V. B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier 01.08.1984
• Subjects: Adult; Alopecia Areata - immunology; Alopecia Areata - pathology; Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Dermatology; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Hair - pathology; Hair and nails disorders; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Phenotype; Scalp - pathology; T-Lymphocytes - classification; T-Lymphocytes - pathology; Human; Skin disease; Immunological investigation; T-Lymphocyte; Alopecia aerata; Immunofluorescence; Cell subpopulation; Immunoperoxidase technique; Immunological method
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/S0190-9622(84)70152-6

Alopecia areata remains a disease of unknown cause and unsatisfactory treatment. Histologically it is characterized by a lymphocytic infiltrate that surrounds the lower half of the hair follicle. Our findings show that 64% to 92% of this infiltrate is composed of T lymphocytes bearing the Leu 3a (helper-inducer) phenotype. The remaining lymphocytes demonstrate the Leu 2a (cytotoxic-suppressor) phenotype. This helper T cell predominance is present in all patients, irrespective of clinical activity or duration of disease. The Leu 3a/Leu 2a ratio ranged from 2.6 to 19.8, the higher ratios being seen in patients with clinically active disease. The cutaneous infiltrate also is Ia-positive, indicating the activated nature of these lymphocytes.