The Root of the Alopecia Areata Problem

A genome-wide association study of AA reveals shared pathways with other autoimmune diseases, as well as a novel mechanism in triggering autoimmunity.

The fundamental mechanisms underlying the autoimmune attack in alopecia areata (AA) are still unknown. To tease apart the genetic causes of AA, investigators undertook a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a sample of 1054 cases in the National Alopecia Areata Registry and 3278 controls from other studies.

The researchers found 139 single nucleotide polymorphisms that were strongly and significantly associated with AA. They found strong associations in regions linked to other autoimmune diseases — in particular, CTLA4, IL-2/IL-21, IL-2RA and genes critical to T-cell regulation — as well as a strongly associated region in the ULBP gene cluster. The ULBP gene appears to be a stress-induced molecule that serves as a danger signal to aler…

Reviewing Author

Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical

EquityLubax

Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal

Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)