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Fu S, Song X. The clinical and immunological features of alopecia areata following SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccines. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:273-282. [PMID: 38646688 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2344696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease induced by viral infection or vaccination. With the increased incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the incidence of AA has also increased. Recently the incidence was found to be 7.8% from a previously reported rate of 2.1%. The physical and psychological damage caused by AA could seriously affect patients' lives, while AA is a challenging dermatological disease owing to its complex pathogenesis. AREAS COVERED This paper presents a comprehensive review of the prevalence, pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for AA after infection with SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. EXPERT OPINION The treatment of AA remains challenging because of the complexity of its pathogenesis. For patients with AA after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, the use of sex hormones and alternative regenerative therapies may be actively considered in addition to conventional treatments. For preexisting disease, therapeutic agents should be adjusted to the patient's specific condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Fu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiuzu Song
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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Abstract
Alopecia areata is a condition that affects hair follicles and leads to hair loss ranging from small well-defined patches to complete loss of all body hair. Despite its high incidence, the pathobiology is not fully understood, and no single concept could be universally accepted. Alopecia areata is mostly considered to be an autoimmune disease, in which the collapse of hair follicle immune privilege plays a key role. Higher incidence rate in the female population and increased overall risk of other autoimmune disorders militate in favor of autoimmune hypothesis. Antibodies against multiple components of hair follicles almost exclusively attack in anagen phase, where melanogenesis takes place. It suggests involvement of melanogenesis-associated autoantigens as a target epitope. Some investigators believed that alopecia areata is not a truly autoimmune disease but is only ‘consistent with’ autoimmune mechanisms. High frequency of a positive family history up to 42% may reflects the contribution of heredity factors. In addition, no specific target autoantigen has been identified so far, and autoantibodies to hair follicle-associated antigens are detectable in normal individuals.
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Hile GA, Gudjonsson JE, Kahlenberg JM. The influence of interferon on healthy and diseased skin. Cytokine 2020; 132:154605. [PMID: 30527631 PMCID: PMC6551332 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) are an immunomodulatory class of cytokines that serve to protect against viral and bacterial infection. In addition, mounting evidence suggests IFNs, particularly type I but also IFNγ, are important to the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases, such as cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Understanding the role of IFNs is relevant to anti-viral responses in the skin, skin biology, and therapeutics for these IFN-related conditions. Type I IFNs (α and β) are produced by recruited inflammatory cells and by the epidermis itself (IFNκ) and have important roles in autoimmune and inflammatory skin disease. Here, we review the current literature utilizing a PubMed database search using terms [interferon/IFN/type I IFN AND lupus/ cutaneous lupus/CLE/dermatomyositis/Sjogrens/psoriasis/lichen planus/morphea/alopecia areata/vitiligo] with a focus on the role of IFNs in basic keratinocyte biology and their implications in the cutaneous autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: cutaneous lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, Sjogren's syndrome, psoriasis, lichen planus, alopecia areata and vitiligo. We provide information about genes and proteins induced by IFNs and how downstream mechanisms relate to clinical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Hile
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Johann E Gudjonsson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - J Michelle Kahlenberg
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Kang H, Wu W, Yu M, Shapiro J, McElwee KJ. Increased expression of TLR7 and TLR9 in alopecia areata. Exp Dermatol 2019; 29:254-258. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hoon Kang
- Department of Dermatology College of Medicine The Catholic University of Korea Seoul Korea
| | - Wen‐Yu Wu
- Department of Dermatology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Mei Yu
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Jerry Shapiro
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology New York University School of Medicine New York NY USA
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Abstract
The interaction between hair and malignancy is complicated. Various hair abnormalities can manifest in oncology patients as a clinical manifestation, the result of cancer therapy, or due to a paraneoplastic condition. The mechanisms of these changes remain unclear. Alopecia is one of the common clinical presentations occurring in oncology patients that affects their quality of life. The condition can concomitantly develop during the course of malignancy or when patients undergo cancer treatment. It is important for physicians to understand alopecia in association with malignancy as it may be an important associated finding or provide the clues to aid diagnosis. The aim of this review is to summarize the clinical characteristics of alopecia that occur in cancer patients and their relationship with the type of malignancy and its treatment.
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Rajabi F, Drake LA, Senna MM, Rezaei N. Alopecia areata: a review of disease pathogenesis. Br J Dermatol 2018; 179:1033-1048. [PMID: 29791718 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.16808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata is a disorder that results in nonscarring hair loss. The psychological impact can be significant, leading to feelings of depression and social isolation. Objectives In this article, we seek to review the pathophysiological mechanisms proposed in recent years in a narrative fashion. METHODS We searched MEDLINE and Scopus for articles related to alopecia areata, with a particular emphasis on its pathogenesis. RESULTS The main theory of alopecia areata pathogenesis is that it is an autoimmune phenomenon resulting from a disruption in hair follicle immune privilege. What causes this breakdown is an issue of debate. Some believe that a stressed hair follicle environment triggers antigen presentation, while others blame a dysregulation in the central immune system entangling the follicles. Evidence for the latter theory is provided by animal studies, as well investigations around the AIRE gene. Different immune-cell lines including plasmacytoid dendritic cells, natural killer cells and T cells, along with key molecules such as interferon-γ, interleukin-15, MICA and NKG2D, have been identified as contributing to the autoimmune process. CONCLUSIONS Alopecia areata remains incurable, although it has been studied for years. Available treatment options at best are beneficial for milder cases, and the rate of relapse is high. Understanding the exact mechanisms of hair loss in alopecia areata is therefore of utmost importance to help identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Rajabi
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - L A Drake
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, U.S.A
| | - M M Senna
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, U.S.A
| | - N Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Sheffield, U.K
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Evaluation of the Relationship between Alopecia Areata and Viral Antigen Exposure. Am J Clin Dermatol 2018; 19:119-126. [PMID: 28801732 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-017-0312-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by non-scarring alopecia with T-cell infiltration at the affected hair follicle. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to study the potential link between hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen exposure and AA. METHODS Two pediatric patients with AA following hepatitis B vaccination were identified in a general dermatology clinic. A bioinformatics analysis and an electronic medical record (EMR) database query were performed at the University of Rochester Medical Center to identify patients with AA, coexisting viral infections, vaccinations, or interferon (IFN) therapy in order to determine if the presence of AA and these conditions was higher than in AA patients without these associated conditions or therapy. RESULTS An increased frequency of AA among those who received the HBV surface protein antigen [odds ratio (OR) 2.7, p < 0.0001] was identified, and an independent analysis revealed an increased frequency of AA in those receiving IFN-β treatment (OR 8.1, p < 0.05). One potential antigenic target identified was SLC45A2, a melanosomal transport protein important in skin and hair pigmentation. The longest potential vaccine peptide fragment match (8-mer) was to a segment of natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptors, KIR3DL2 and KIR3DL1. Predictive modeling of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide binding demonstrated potential binding of this peptide to MHC relevant to AA. LIMITATIONS The results will need to be verified in additional patient databases allowing analysis of temporal relationships, and with molecular experiments of the identified antigens. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm associations between viral infection and IFN treatment with AA. It establishes that the hepatitis B surface protein antigen has shared epitopes with human killer immunoglobulin-like receptors.
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Abou Rahal J, Kurban M, Kibbi AG, Abbas O. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in alopecia areata: missing link? J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2014; 30:119-23. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Abou Rahal
- Dermatology Department; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut Lebanon
| | - M. Kurban
- Dermatology Department; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut Lebanon
| | - A.-G. Kibbi
- Dermatology Department; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut Lebanon
| | - O. Abbas
- Dermatology Department; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut Lebanon
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McElwee KJ, Gilhar A, Tobin DJ, Ramot Y, Sundberg JP, Nakamura M, Bertolini M, Inui S, Tokura Y, Jr LEK, Duque-Estrada B, Tosti A, Keren A, Itami S, Shoenfeld Y, Zlotogorski A, Paus R. What causes alopecia areata? Exp Dermatol 2013; 22:609-26. [PMID: 23947678 PMCID: PMC4094373 DOI: 10.1111/exd.12209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The pathobiology of alopecia areata (AA), one of the most frequent autoimmune diseases and a major unsolved clinical problem, has intrigued dermatologists, hair biologists and immunologists for decades. Simultaneously, both affected patients and the physicians who take care of them are increasingly frustrated that there is still no fully satisfactory treatment. Much of this frustration results from the fact that the pathobiology of AA remains unclear, and no single AA pathogenesis concept can claim to be universally accepted. In fact, some investigators still harbour doubts whether this even is an autoimmune disease, and the relative importance of CD8(+) T cells, CD4(+) T cells and NKGD2(+) NK or NKT cells and the exact role of genetic factors in AA pathogenesis remain bones of contention. Also, is AA one disease, a spectrum of distinct disease entities or only a response pattern of normal hair follicles to immunologically mediated damage? During the past decade, substantial progress has been made in basic AA-related research, in the development of new models for translationally relevant AA research and in the identification of new therapeutic agents and targets for future AA management. This calls for a re-evaluation and public debate of currently prevalent AA pathobiology concepts. The present Controversies feature takes on this challenge, hoping to attract more skin biologists, immunologists and professional autoimmunity experts to this biologically fascinating and clinically important model disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. J. McElwee
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A. Gilhar
- Laboratory for Skin, Research, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Marta Bertolini
| | - D. J. Tobin
- Centre for Skin Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Y. Ramot
- Department of Dermatology, Hadassah- Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - J. P. Sundberg
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA; Division of Dermatology, Skin Disease Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - M. Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan Yoshiki Tokura
| | - M. Bertolini
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany Yehuda Shoenfeld
| | - S. Inui
- Department of Regenerative Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Y. Tokura
- Department of Dermatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - L. E. King Jr
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA; Division of Dermatology, Skin Disease Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - B. Duque-Estrada
- Instituto de Dermatologia Prof. Rubem David Azulay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Antonella Tosti
| | - A Tosti
- Department of Dermatology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - A. Keren
- Laboratory for Skin, Research, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Marta Bertolini
| | - S. Itami
- Department of Regenerative Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Y. Shoenfeld
- Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - A. Zlotogorski
- Department of Dermatology, Hadassah- Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - R. Paus
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany; Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK ,
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Peripheral blood gene expression in alopecia areata reveals molecular pathways distinguishing heritability, disease and severity. Genes Immun 2010; 11:531-41. [PMID: 20535136 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2010.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune hair loss disorder in which systemic disturbances have been described, but are poorly understood. To evaluate disease mechanisms, we examined gene expression in the blood of defined clinical subgroups (patchy AA persistent type, AAP, n=5; alopecia universalis, AU, n=4) and healthy controls (unaffected relatives, UaR, n=5; unaffected non-relatives, UaNR, n=4) using microarrays. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering separates all four patient and control groups, producing three distinct expression patterns reflective of 'inheritance', 'disease' and 'severity' signatures. Functional classification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) comparing disease (AAP, AU) vs normal (UaR) groups reveals upregulation in immune response, cytokine signaling, signal transduction, cell cycle, proteolysis and cell adhesion-related genes. Pathway analysis further reveals the activation of several genes related to natural killer-cell cytotoxicity, apoptosis, mitogen activated protein kinase, Wnt signaling and B- and T-cell receptor signaling in AA patients. Finally, 35 genes differentially expressed in AA blood overlap with DEGs previously identified in AA skin lesions. Our results implicate innate and adaptive immune processes while also revealing novel pathways, such as Wnt signaling and apoptosis, relevant to AA pathogenesis. Our data suggest that peripheral blood expression profiles of AA patients likely carry new biomarkers associated with disease susceptibility and expression.
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Ghoreishi M, Martinka M, Dutz JP. Type 1 interferon signature in the scalp lesions of alopecia areata. Br J Dermatol 2010; 163:57-62. [PMID: 20346028 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09775.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune attack of the bulbar region of anagen phase hair follicles by CD8+ T cells and Th1 cytokines has been proposed to result in hair loss in alopecia areata (AA). The initiating stimuli are unknown. As interferon-alpha therapy may trigger AA, we propose that type 1 interferons are involved in the induction of disease. OBJECTIVES To compare lesional scalp from patients with AA with scalp lesions of cutaneous diseases associated with local type 1 interferon-related protein expression. METHODS Lesional scalp of patients with AA, discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planopilaris and androgenetic alopecia was examined by immunohistochemistry for expression of the type 1 interferon-inducible myxovirus protein A (MxA), the chemokine receptor CXCR3, and the cytotoxic proteins granzyme B (GrB) and T-cell intracytoplasmic antigen 1 (TiA-1). RESULTS MxA was expressed in the intradermal and subcutaneous compartments of the hair follicle including sebaceous glands in inflammatory AA similar to lesions of cicatricial alopecia (discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planopilaris) but not in the epidermal compartment of AA, and not at all in noninflammatory AA or androgenetic alopecia. The location of CXCR3-expressing cells correlated with MxA expression. The inflammatory cells around the hair follicle in AA included a lower number of GrB+ and TiA-1+ cells compared with cicatricial alopecia and demonstrated predominant TiA-1+ expression. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate the expression of type 1 interferon-related proteins in the inflammatory lesions of AA. The distribution pattern of the interferon signature and cytotoxicity-associated proteins in AA differs from cicatricial alopecia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ghoreishi
- Department of Dermatology & Skin Science and Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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A review of adverse cutaneous drug reactions resulting from the use of interferon and ribavirin. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2009; 23:677-83. [PMID: 19826642 DOI: 10.1155/2009/651952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Drug-induced cutaneous eruptions are named among the most common side effects of many medications. Thus, cutaneous drug eruptions are a common cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in hospital settings. The present article reviews different presentations of drug-induced cutaneous eruptions, with a focus on eruptions reported secondary to the use of interferon and ribavirin. Presentations include injection site reactions, psoriasis, eczematous drug reactions, alopecia, sarcoidosis, lupus, fixed drug eruptions, pigmentary changes and lichenoid eruptions. Also reviewed are findings regarding life-threatening systemic drug reactions.
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