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Immunopathological studies on alopecia areata

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Summary

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies could be removed from circulating lymphocytes by means of acid elution techniques in eight patients with different degrees of alopecia areata. These antibodies were specifically directed against the endothelial cells in the capillary network of the hair bulb, indicating the existence of an antigen, which is unique to these particular endothelial cells. These antibodies do not bind complement “in vitro” and are species-specific.

Circulating ANA (speckled type) were only noticed in case with alopecia areata in spots. A significant decrease in circulating T cells was noticed in six of eight patients with a certain degree of alopecia.

Zusammenfassung

Anti-Endotheliale celluläre Antikörper konnten von zirkulierenden Lymphocyten durch saure Elution bei acht Patienten mit verschiedenartiger Ausprägung der Alopecia areata abgelöst werden. Diese Antikörper waren spezifisch direkt gegen die endothelialen Zellen im capillaren Netzwerk der Haarzwiebel gerichtet. Dadurch wurde die Existenz eines Antigens angezeigt, welches spezifisch nur diesen endothelialen Zellen zukommt. Diese Antikörper bilden nicht Komplement in vitro und sind species-spezifisch.

Zirkulierende ANA (vom getüpfelten Typ) wurden nur in den Herden der Alopecia areata aufgefunden. Ein signifikanter Abfall zirkulierender T-Zellen wurde in sechs von acht Patienten bei klinischer Entwicklung einer Alopecie nachgewiesen.

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Nunzi, E., Hamerlinck, F. & Cormane, R.H. Immunopathological studies on alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol Res 269, 1–11 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404452

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