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B cell activating factor and T-helper 17 cells: possible synergistic culprits in the pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

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Abstract

The role of T-helper 17 cells (Th17) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) has not been clearly elucidated. B cell activating factor (BAFF) being a regulator of T cell activation could be involved in this pathologic process as well. The current study evaluated the expression of IL-17, IL-22, Foxp3 and BAFF in tissue and sera of AA patients. Forty AA patients and 40 age and sex matched healthy controls were included. Tissue and serum levels of IL-17, IL-22, BAFF as well as serum level of Foxp3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemical staining was used for assessment of tissue level of Foxp3. Tissue and serum levels of IL-17, tissue levels of IL-22 and BAFF were significantly higher in patients. Serum levels of IL-22, Foxp3 and BAFF were non-significantly higher in patients. Foxp3 immunostaining showed negativity in tissue of patients and controls. A significant positive correlation was found between both tissue levels of IL-17 and BAFF (r = 0.474, P = 0.035) and tissue level of IL-22 and disease duration (r = 0.766, P < 0.001) in AA patients. Th17 cells and BAFF are synergistically involved in the pathogenesis of AA. BAFF represents a promising therapeutic target for such a challenging disease. Defective Tregs number and/or function in AA warrants further studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Mostafa A. Elela, Heba I. Gawdat, Rehab A. Hegazy, Marwa M. Fawzy, Rania M. Abdel Hay & Dina Saadi

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Olfat Shaker

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  1. Mostafa A. Elela
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Elela, M.A., Gawdat, H.I., Hegazy, R.A. et al. B cell activating factor and T-helper 17 cells: possible synergistic culprits in the pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata. Arch Dermatol Res 308, 115–121 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-016-1617-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-016-1617-z

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