PD-1 Regulatory Network Is Upregulated in Contact Immunotherapy During Alopecia Areata Treatment

    April 2023 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”
    R. Ong, Y. Natsuaki, S. Hanakawa, Belle Lin Hwee Yap, L. Koh, A. Andiappan, K. Kabashima, B. Janela, E. Wang, J.E. Common
    TLDR Contact immunotherapy can change immune responses in alopecia areata, suggesting new treatment targets.
    This study investigated the effects of contact immunotherapy (CIT) on alopecia areata (AA) by analyzing the immune profiles of 19 patients over 6 months. The research found that CIT led to an expansion of CD4 T cell subsets, including central memory CD4 T cells, which upregulated PD-1. Additionally, there was a significant upregulation of the co-inhibitory receptor TIGIT, indicating an immunomodulatory response. Stratified results showed a strong local immune reaction in scalp biopsies and a reduced systemic reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These findings suggested that CIT induced immune modulation in responsive patients through previously undescribed pathways, offering potential targets for new AA treatments.
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