Alopecia areata: pathogenesis and potential for therapy

2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (14) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Lu ◽  
Jerry Shapiro ◽  
Mei Yu ◽  
Armin Barekatain ◽  
Blanche Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hair Loss ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Disease Development ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Disease Mechanism ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Significant Challenge ◽  
Cd4 Lymphocytes

Although the complete picture for alopecia areata (AA) pathogenesis has yet to be determined, recent research has made much progress in our understanding of the disease mechanism. Numerous circumstantial evidence supports the notion that AA is fundamentally a disease mediated by inflammatory cells and may be autoimmune in nature. Recent research has shown the hair-loss phenotype is precipitated predominantly by CD8+ lymphocytes, but the disease mechanism is driven by CD4+ lymphocytes. Although genetic susceptibility is a key contributor to disease development, disease onset and phenotypic presentation are probably modified by complex environmental interplay. On the basis of our current understanding of AA disease pathogenesis, several experimental and theoretical therapeutic approaches might be possible. However, the pathogenetic disease mechanism is particularly robust and the development of a cure for AA will be a significant challenge.

scholarly journals Transfer of CD8+ Cells Induces Localized Hair Loss Whereas CD4+/CD25− Cells Promote Systemic Alopecia Areata and CD4+/CD25+ Cells Blockade Disease Onset in the C3H/HeJ Mouse Model

2005 ◽  
Vol 124 (5) ◽  
pp. 947-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. McElwee ◽  
Pia Freyschmidt-Paul ◽  
Rolf Hoffmann ◽  
Sabine Kissling ◽  
Susanne Hummel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Cd8 Cells

scholarly journals A Brief Analysis of Tissue-Resident NK Cells in Pregnancy and Endometrial Diseases: The Importance of Pharmacologic Modulation

Immuno ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-193
Author(s):  
Jenny Valentina Garmendia ◽  
Juan Bautista De Sanctis
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cells ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Pharmacological Modulation ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Pharmacologic Modulation ◽  
Inflammatory Burden

NK cells are lymphocytes involved in the innate and adaptative immune response. These cells are located in peripheral blood and tissues with ample functions, from immune vigilant to tolerogenic reactions. In the endometrium, NK cell populations vary depending on age, hormones, and inflammation. When pregnancy occurs, tissue-resident NK cells and conventional NK cells are recruited to protect the fetus, a tolerogenic response. On the contrary, in the inflamed endometrium, various inflammatory cells down-regulate NK tolerance and impair embryo implantation. Therefore, NK cells’ pharmacological modulation is difficult to achieve. Several strategies have been used, from progesterone, lipid emulsions to steroids; the success has not been as expected. However, new therapeutic approaches have been proposed to decrease the endometrial inflammatory burden and increase pregnancy success based on understanding NK cell physiology.

Hair Growth in a Patient with Alopecia Areata on Tocilizumab

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Chloe J. Walker ◽  
Kelly E. Flanagan ◽  
James T. Pathoulas ◽  
Isabel Pupo Wiss ◽  
Maryanne M. Senna
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Autoimmune Disease ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Hair Growth ◽  
Posterior Uveitis ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Antibody Targeting ◽  
Growth Changes

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Tocilizumab (TCZ), a recombinant humanized antihuman monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling, is often utilized in the management of autoimmune disease. Few reports have demonstrated hair growth changes in patients on TCZ. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> Herein, we review the literature and report a 21-year-old woman with progressive alopecia areata (AA) presenting with AA improvement while on TCZ for concomitant posterior uveitis. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Our case demonstrates the potential ability of TCZ to disrupt IL-6 signaling involved in AA, leading to hair loss and regrowth.

scholarly journals How Changes in the Nutritional Landscape Shape Gut Immunometabolism

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Jian Tan ◽  
Duan Ni ◽  
Rosilene V. Ribeiro ◽  
Gabriela V. Pinget ◽  
Laurence Macia
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cells ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Food Antigens ◽  
And Function ◽  
Micro Organisms

Cell survival, proliferation and function are energy-demanding processes, fuelled by different metabolic pathways. Immune cells like any other cells will adapt their energy production to their function with specific metabolic pathways characteristic of resting, inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cells. This concept of immunometabolism is revolutionising the field of immunology, opening the gates for novel therapeutic approaches aimed at altering immune responses through immune metabolic manipulations. The first part of this review will give an extensive overview on the metabolic pathways used by immune cells. Diet is a major source of energy, providing substrates to fuel these different metabolic pathways. Protein, lipid and carbohydrate composition as well as food additives can thus shape the immune response particularly in the gut, the first immune point of contact with food antigens and gastrointestinal tract pathogens. How diet composition might affect gut immunometabolism and its impact on diseases will also be discussed. Finally, the food ingested by the host is also a source of energy for the micro-organisms inhabiting the gut lumen particularly in the colon. The by-products released through the processing of specific nutrients by gut bacteria also influence immune cell activity and differentiation. How bacterial metabolites influence gut immunometabolism will be covered in the third part of this review. This notion of immunometabolism and immune function is recent and a deeper understanding of how lifestyle might influence gut immunometabolism is key to prevent or treat diseases.

scholarly journals Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis: Role of Autophagy and Mitophagy Focusing in Microglia

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3330
Author(s):  
Mehdi Eshraghi ◽  
Aida Adlimoghaddam ◽  
Amir Mahmoodzadeh ◽  
Farzaneh Sharifzad ◽  
Hamed Yasavoli-Sharahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Neurological Disorder ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Current Review ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Comprehensive Discussion

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a debilitating neurological disorder, and currently, there is no cure for it. Several pathologic alterations have been described in the brain of AD patients, but the ultimate causative mechanisms of AD are still elusive. The classic hallmarks of AD, including am-yloid plaques (Aβ) and tau tangles (tau), are the most studied features of AD. Unfortunately, all the efforts targeting these pathologies have failed to show the desired efficacy in AD patients so far. Neuroinflammation and impaired autophagy are two other main known pathologies in AD. It has been reported that these pathologies exist in AD brain long before the emergence of any clinical manifestation of AD. Microglia are the main inflammatory cells in the brain and are considered by many researchers as the next hope for finding a viable therapeutic target in AD. Interestingly, it appears that the autophagy and mitophagy are also changed in these cells in AD. Inside the cells, autophagy and inflammation interact in a bidirectional manner. In the current review, we briefly discussed an overview on autophagy and mitophagy in AD and then provided a comprehensive discussion on the role of these pathways in microglia and their involvement in AD pathogenesis.

Alopecia areata: a review of disease pathogenesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 179 (5) ◽  
pp. 1033-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Rajabi ◽  
L.A. Drake ◽  
M.M. Senna ◽  
N. Rezaei
Keyword(s):  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis

Alopecia areata: a review of disease pathogenesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 179 (5) ◽  
pp. e198-e198
Author(s):  
F. Rajabi ◽  
L.A. Drake ◽  
M.M. Senna ◽  
N. Rezaei
Keyword(s):  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis

scholarly journals “‘You lose your hair, what’s the big deal?’ I was so embarrassed, I was so self-conscious, I was so depressed:” a qualitative interview study to understand the psychosocial burden of alopecia areata

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie V. J. Aldhouse ◽  
Helen Kitchen ◽  
Sarah Knight ◽  
Jake Macey ◽  
Fabio P. Nunes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hair Loss ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Disease Recurrence ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Psychosocial Burden ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Expert Clinician

Abstract Background Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by hair loss that can affect the scalp and body. This study describes the psychosocial burden of AA. Methods Participants diagnosed with AA who had experienced ≥50% scalp hair loss according to the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) were identified by clinicians. A semi-structured interview guide, developed with expert clinician input, included open-ended questions to explore patients’ experiences of living with AA. Data were thematically analyzed to identify concepts and relationships. Results Participants (n = 45, 58% female, mean age 33.3 years [range 15–72], mean SALT 67.2 [range 0–100]) described the AA diagnosis as “devastating”. Both males and females reported emotional and psychological impacts of AA including feeling sad/depressed (n = 21), embarrassed/ashamed (n = 10) and angry/frustrated (n = 3). Patients felt helpless (n = 5) due to the unpredictability of disease recurrence, and anxious (n = 19) about judgement from others. Many patients avoided social situations (n = 18), which impaired relationships and increased isolation. Coping strategies included concealment of hair loss through wigs or make-up, although fear of the displacement of these coverings also caused anxiety and the avoidance of activities that could result in scalp exposure (n = 22). Some patients became more accepting of AA over time, which lessened the emotional impact, though efficacious treatment was still desired. A conceptual framework was developed, and a conceptual model was created to depict the relationship between the physical signs/symptoms and the associated psychosocial effects of AA. Conclusion AA impairs patients’ emotional and psychological wellbeing, relationships and lifestyles. Greater disease awareness and effective treatments are needed.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Severe Alopecia Areata Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mehdi Gheisari ◽  
Khatere Zahedi ◽  
Zohreh Tehranchinia ◽  
Hamideh Moravvej ◽  
Fahimeh Abdollahimajd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dose Reduction ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Systemic Therapy ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Drug Dose ◽  
The Other ◽  
Protective Measures

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The pandemic of COVID-19 has several implications for patients with chronic stress-sensitive diseases such as alopecia areata (AA). On the other hand, the vulnerability of AA patients using immunosuppressives to a more severe infection is in the shadow of ambiguity. This teledermatology study aimed to evaluate the course and outcome of AA in patients during this challenging period. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Patients with AA who had previously received systemic therapy included in this study. Information about demographic data, AA history, characteristics, and treatments, hair loss progression, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), adherence to protective measures against the COVID-19, possible infection, and its features obtained via a telephone call. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 57 patients participated. The majority (84.2%) of the participants had mild anxiety assessed by CDAS. Two patients (3.5%) had got infected with COVID-19. Twenty-one (36.8%) participants experienced hair loss progression. Hair loss progression correlated with drug dose reduction (OR: 46.09, 95% CI 5.48–387.14, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) although it did not influence by the level of anxiety evaluated by the CDAS (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The anxiety perceived by severe AA patients about COVID-19 is mild; however, many experience hair loss progressions owing to their drug dose reduction.

scholarly journals Sex-Bias in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Linking Steroids to the Gut-Brain Axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sik Yu So ◽  
Tor C. Savidge
Keyword(s):  
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽  
Sex Steroids ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorder ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Disease Mechanism ◽  
Psychological Conditions ◽  
Nervous System Function ◽  
Irritable Bowel ◽  
Insight Into

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is more common in females. Despite its high global incidence, the disease mechanism is still unclear and therapeutic options remain limited. The sexual dimorphism in IBS incidence suggests that sex steroids play a role in disease onset and symptoms severity. This review considers sex steroids and their involvement in IBS symptoms and the underlying disease mechanisms. Estrogens and androgens play important regulatory roles in IBS symptomology, including visceral sensitivity, gut motility and psychological conditions, possibly through modulating the gut-brain axis. Steroids are regulators of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity and autonomic nervous system function. They also modulate gut microbiota and enteric nervous systems, impacting serotonin and mast cell signaling. Sex steroids also facilitate bidirectional cross-talk between the microbiota and host following bacterial transformation and recycling of steroids by the intestine. The sex-specific interplay between sex steroids and the host provides neuroendocrinology insight into the pathophysiology, epigenetics and treatment of IBS patients.

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