Abnormal Expression of VDR in the Hair Follicle of Alopecia Areata

The study investigated the expression of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the hair follicles of 24 alopecia areata (AA) patients compared to 12 healthy controls. It was found that VDR expression at both protein and mRNA levels was significantly reduced in AA patients. However, no significant differences in VDR expression were observed among AA patients with varying onset ages, disease courses, or hair loss areas. The findings suggested that low VDR expression in hair follicles might have played an important role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.