Novel potential therapeutic targets of alopecia areata

Wen Xu; Sheng Wan; Bo Xie; Xiuzu Song

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148359

Novel potential therapeutic targets of alopecia areata

Front Immunol. 2023 Apr 19:14:1148359. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148359. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Wen Xu^{1

2}, Sheng Wan², Bo Xie², Xiuzu Song²

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
² Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss disorder caused by autoimmunity. The immune collapse of the hair follicle, where interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and CD8+ T cells accumulate, is a key factor in AA. However, the exact functional mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, AA treatment has poor efficacy maintenance and high relapse rate after drug withdrawal. Recent studies show that immune-related cells and molecules affect AA. These cells communicate through autocrine and paracrine signals. Various cytokines, chemokines and growth factors mediate this crosstalk. In addition, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), gut microbiota, hair follicle melanocytes, non-coding RNAs and specific regulatory factors have crucial roles in intercellular communication without a clear cause, suggesting potential new targets for AA therapy. This review discusses the latest research on the possible pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of AA.

Keywords: alopecia areata; gut microbiota; immune cells; interleukins; therapeutic targets.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alopecia Areata* / drug therapy
Autoimmunity
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Cytokines
Humans

Substances

Cytokines

Supplementary concepts

Diffuse alopecia

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Basic Public Welfare Research Project of Zhejiang (No.LY23H110001); Science and Technology Major Project of Zhejiang Province and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. GZY-ZJ-KJ-2023035); Health Science and Technology Major Project of Hangzhou (No. Z20220040).