D1.300 - Alopecia areata associated with atopy has a distinct cytokine, chemokine and IgE profile
Background
Alopecia areata (AA) a genetically determined autoimmune disease of the hair follicles occurring in 2% of the population may occur in the context of atopic diseases leading to unfavorable prognosis. The goal of the study was to investigate the production of the IgE and IgE-regulatory cytokines profile in patients with the "atopic" type of AA and its correlation with severity of AA.
Method
50 patients with AA were divided into two groups: 19 patients (38%) with AA only (group AA) and 31 (62%) with AA associated with atopic diseases (group AA+AD). A Control group included 30 healthy volunteers. Assessment of the severity of AA used the SALT (Severity of Alopecia Tool) scale, including the area of scalp hair loss. The number of patients with mild AA (SALT up to 25%) was 19, with moderate severity (SALT 25–49%) – 9, with severe and very severe AA (SALT 50–100%) – 22. The concentration of cytokines in sera was assessed by Multiplex assays using ProcartaPlex Human Cytokine and Chemokine Panel 1A 34 plex panel (Invitrogen, ThermoFisher Scientific, USA). Serum total and specific IgE concentrations were assessed by ELISA.
Results
The study demonstrated statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between AA group and controls in concentrations of IL-2, IL-5, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A (CTLA-8), IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-31, MCP-1 (CCL2), RANTES (CCL5), and TNF beta . Between group AA+AD and the controls similar significant differences were observed in the most of analytes: Eotaxin (ССL11), IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-31, MCP-1 (CCL2), RANTES (CCL5), TNF alpha, and TNF beta. No significant differences were found (p>0.05) between patients of both groups (AA and AA+AD) in the concentration of the most mediators, especially with proinflammatory activity. AA+AD in comparison to AA without atopy had increased levels of the main Th-2 type of mediators: IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-31, as well as Eotaxin/CCL11 chemokine. No correlation was seen between sera concentrations of total IgE and SALT index in patients with only AA. Total IgE significantly correlated with the SALT index (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Concomitant atopic diseases in patients with AA has an impact on AA severity. Total IgE significantly correlates with the SALT index in AA patients having atopic diseases. Elevated IgE-regulatory cytokines occurs in AA with atopy.
