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Changes in distribution pattern of CD8 lymphocytes in the scalp in alopecia areata during treatment with diphencyprone

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Abstract

For many years, the role of T lymphocytes was hypothesized as being a major factor responsible for hair loss in alopecia areata (a.a.). While numerous lymphocytic populations were found around hair bulbs, changes in their distribution patterns in the skin during the course and recovery of the disease remain unknown. In the present study, distribution of CD8 lymphocytes in biopsies obtained from a.a. patients was measured before and during treatment using diphencyprone (DCP). Results show about a 600% increase in the number of CD8 lymphocytes under the epithelium and about a 250% increase around hair bulbs and other epidermal appendages during the study. These results were more significant in a group, which had good clinical response to the treatment. No change in the quantity of CD8 lymphocytes was observed around the blood vessels. Since CD8 lymphocytes are considered to be directly involved in the hair destruction process in a.a., their increased number around hair bulbs followed by hair regrowth may suggest that during DCP treatment they regain normal reactivity to hair antigens.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the following: Prof. Andrzej Langner and my father Jerzy Wasyłyszyn PhD for their general inspiration; Dr Janusz Patera for the help in preparing microscopic photographs; and Dr Tomasz Zieliński for the statistic analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology Clinic, Military Medical Institute, Szaserow 128 st, 00-909, Warsaw, Poland

    Tomasz Wasyłyszyn & Stanisław Leopold Zabielski

  2. Department of Pathomorphology, Military Medical Institute, Szaserow 128 st, 00-909, Warsaw, Poland

    Wojciech Kozłowski

  3. Andersa 23/4 st, 00-159, Warsaw, Poland

    Tomasz Wasyłyszyn

Authors
  1. Tomasz Wasyłyszyn
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  2. Wojciech Kozłowski
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  3. Stanisław Leopold Zabielski
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Correspondence to Tomasz Wasyłyszyn.

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Wasyłyszyn, T., Kozłowski, W. & Zabielski, S.L. Changes in distribution pattern of CD8 lymphocytes in the scalp in alopecia areata during treatment with diphencyprone. Arch Dermatol Res 299, 231–237 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0759-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0759-4

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