Regulatory γδ T Cells Protect Human Scalp Hair Follicles From Alopecia Areata In Vivo And Represent Potential Therapeutic Target

This study investigates the role of immunosuppressive Foxp3+ γδTregs in preventing and treating alopecia areata (AA). Researchers generated autologous Foxp3+ γδTregs and confirmed their markers and secretory activities. These γδTregs were tested both ex vivo with stressed human scalp hair follicles and in vivo in human skin xenotransplants on SCID/beige mice. The results showed that γδTregs mitigated hair follicle immune privilege collapse and hair growth inhibition by secreting IL-10 and TGF-β1. In vivo, γδTregs significantly reduced AA lesion development and restored hair follicle immune privilege. This study provides the first evidence that γδTregs can be both preventive and therapeutic in human AA, suggesting their potential as novel cell-based therapeutics for AA management.