Circulating Levels of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IL-16 in Patients with Alopecia Areata.
- Author:
Wan Ik CHO
1
;
Seong Jun SEO
;
Myeung Nam KIM
;
Chang Kwun HONG
;
Byung In RO
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. drro2@hanafos.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Alopecia areata;
Cytokine;
IL-10;
IL-16;
INF-gamma
- MeSH:
Alopecia Areata*;
Alopecia*;
Autoimmune Diseases;
Cytokines;
Hair Follicle;
Humans;
Interleukin-1;
Interleukin-10*;
Interleukin-16*;
T-Lymphocytes
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2006;44(4):399-404
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
