Korean J Dermatol.  2006 Apr;44(4):399-404.

Circulating Levels of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IL-16 in Patients with Alopecia Areata

• Cho WI
• Seo SJ
• Kim MN
• Hong CK
• Ro BI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition of the hair follicle, resulting in bald patches. The details of the pathogenesis of AA still remain unclear. However, several recent studies have indicated that AA is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which T cells (especially CD8+T cells), as well as certain cytokines (especially Th1 cytokines, IL-1, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha) may play an important role in its development.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to characterize the cytokine response in the peripheral blood of patients with AA, before and after treatment.
METHODS
Twenty one active AA patients and 10 healthy people were evaluated in this study. The levels of 3 cytokines, including IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-16, in all subjects were measured at the first visit and 3 months after treatment.
RESULTS
The levels of IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-16 in the AA group were significantly elevated (p<0.05) compared to the normal control group. The level of IFN-gamma showed an excellent response to treatment (hair regrowth>75%), and was decreased in comparision to the level before treatment (p=0.003). There was no difference in the cytokine levels after PUVA, DPCP, or a combination therapy of PUVA and DPCP (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
The results suggest the involvement of IFN-gamma in the AA process. Also, IFN-gamma could be a potential marker for treatment. Even though different treatments have different mechanisms, IFN-gamma is considered to be a common pathway for alopecia areata treatment.

Keyword

Alopecia areata; Cytokine; IL-10; IL-16; INF-gamma

MeSH Terms

Alopecia Areata*
Alopecia*
Autoimmune Diseases
Cytokines
Hair Follicle
Humans
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-10*
Interleukin-16*
T-Lymphocytes
Cytokines
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-16