Ann Dermatol.  2019 Aug;31(4):387-392. 10.5021/ad.2019.31.4.387.

Clinical Relevance for Serum Cold-Inducible RNA-Binding Protein Level in Alopecia Areata

• Shin JM
• Ko JW
• Kwon IS
• Choi JW
• Hong D
• Lee JH
• Seo YJ
• Kim CD
• Lee JH
• Lee Y
• Park KD

• KMID: 2451475
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2019.31.4.387

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA), a chronic, relapsing hair-loss disorder, is considered to be a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) belongs to a family of cold-shock proteins that respond to cold stress, and has been identified as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule that triggers the inflammatory response. Recent studies have shown that high-mobility group box 1, another DAMP molecule, is elevated in serum and scalp tissue of AA patients, suggesting a relationship between DAMP molecules and the pathogenesis of AA.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical significance of serum CIRP levels in AA.
METHODS
The serum levels of CIRP were compared between 68 patients with AA and 20 healthy controls. Additionally, the correlation between CIRP level and various clinical parameters was evaluated.
RESULTS
The serum CIRP levels were significantly higher in AA patients compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, there was an association between the serum CIRP level and clinical characteristics, such as disease duration and disease activity. However, there was no significant difference in the serum CIRP level among the clinical types of AA (AA multiplex, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that CIRP may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AA and could be a potential biologic marker for monitoring the disease activity of AA.

Keyword

Alopecia areata; Autoimmune diseases; Inflammation; RNA-binding proteins

MeSH Terms

Alopecia Areata*
Alopecia*
Autoimmune Diseases
Biomarkers
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Inflammation
RNA-Binding Proteins*
Scalp
Biomarkers
RNA-Binding Proteins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Expression of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) in normal and alopecia areata (AA)-affected scalp tissues. Paraffin-embedded normal scalp skin and AA lesions were immunohistochemically stained with anti-CIRP (original magnification, ×100; scale bar=100 µm).

• 

  Fig. 2 Serum cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) levels in alopecia areata (AA) patients and healthy controls. (A) Serum CIRP level was significantly higher in AA patients than in healthy controls. p=0.029, *p<0.05. (B) There was no correlation with AA type. p=0.707. AAM: AA multiplex, AT: alopecia totalis, AU: alopecia universalis.

• 

  Fig. 3 Serum cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) levels according to clinical characteristics. (A, B) There was no significant correlation with patient age (p=0.275) and with treatment experience (p=0.188). (C, D), Significantly higher levels of CIRP were measured in patients with positive hair-pull test results (p=0.048, *p<0.05) and with acute disease status (p=0.013, **p<0.01).

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