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Immunological profiles in alopecia areata
Author(s) -
Galbraith Gillian M. P.,
THIERS B. H.,
VASILY D. B.,
FUDENBERG H. H.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1984.tb07462.x
Subject(s) - alopecia areata , immunology , phytohaemagglutinin , alopecia universalis , immune system , medicine , cellular immunity , hypoparathyroidism , immunity , antigen , lymphocyte , endocrinology
SUMMARY Cell‐mediated immunity and auto‐immune phenomena were investigated in sixty patients with active alopecia areata of various degrees of severity. Serum auto‐antibodies to thyroid antigens were detected in twenty‐three patients. Examination of T‐lymphocyte populations, lymphocyte DNA synthesis, and lymphokine production in response to mitogen stimulation revealed no differences between the sixty patients and matched healthy control subjects. However, patients with thyroid auto‐immunity and/or the presence of alopecia totalis or universalis showed significant reductions in interactive T lymphocytes (recognized by rosette formation with human B lymphoblastoid cells) and diminished production of leukocyte migration inhibition factor in response to stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin. This suggests that immune mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata which is associated with thyroid auto‐immunity or which progresses to total hair loss.