Serum concentrations of selected proinflammatory cytokines in children with alopecia areata

Abstract

IntroductionAlopecia areata (AA) is considered an autoimmune disorder characterized by patchy loss of hair from the scalp and other body parts. Many patients develop the disease in childhood.AimTo answer the question whether abnormal production of some proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFNγ) in children with AA may facilitate the development or progression of the disease.Material and methodsThe study group consisted of 42 children with AA, the control group – 37 healthy children. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from patients with AA and healthy controls and the concentrations of serum cytokines, namely IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A, IFN-γ were determined quantitatively by ELISA method.ResultsThe serum IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFNγ levels were significantly increased in patients with AA compared with control subjects (p < 0.05). The serum IL-15 level was found to be increased when the total duration of AA was increased (q = 0.30; p = 0.05). The serum cytokine level of IL-17A was found to be decreased when duration of the current episode was longer than 2 years (p < 0.05), but the correlation between IL-17A serum level and duration of the current episode was not confirmed in the Spearman test (q = –0.06; p = 0.68). The serum IL-17A level was found to be significantly decreased when the thyroiditis was present (q = –2.378; p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe increased levels of serum IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFNγ in children suggest imbalance in the serum proinflammatory cytokines production in AA.

A transcriptomic map of murine and human alopecia areata

“…Mounting evidence implicates a role for CD4 + T cells, including correlation between an increased CD4 + /CD8 + T cell ratio and more active disease (15) and the emergence of AA after the transfer of conventional CD4 + T cells in mouse models (12). Furthermore, the disruption of the antiinflammatory, immune-privileged status of the normal anagen hair follicle (16) and the establishment of a proinflammatory environment observed in AA (17) suggest myeloid cells and other antigen-presenting cells (APCs) may play a pivotal role in disease pathogenesis. These populations, as well as other skin-infiltrating immune cell populations, have not been extensively examined in AA pathogenesis.…”

Evaluation of serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-a in alopecia areata patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The molecular mechanisms responsible for these alterations in immune function need to be explored more fully 36 . The objective of this meta-analysis was to collate data from published literature to evaluate the serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in patients with AA.…”

Serum 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Levels in Childhood Alopesia Areata

“…There is an increase in proinflammatory cytokines, especially IFN-g, in vitamin D deficiency (14,15) . Vitamin D may contribute to maintenance of the immune privilege by decreasing the production of IFN-g. Additionally, triggers such as emotional stresses, minor skin traumas, infectious agents also seem likely to cause an intrafollicular increase in IFN-g on the background of genetic susceptibility (14,15,17,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) .…”