Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata: Apples and Oranges?

October 2013 in “ Experimental Dermatology ”

John E. Harris

alopecia areata vitiligo autoimmune skin diseases melanocyte destruction patchy hair loss immune cell populations cytokines genetic risk factors familial associations

TLDR Vitiligo and alopecia areata may have similar causes despite their differences.

Vitiligo and alopecia areata, though clinically distinct, shared significant pathogenetic similarities, both driven by a TH1-mediated immune response involving CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ. The study highlighted shared genetic risk factors and potential common pathogenesis, suggesting that targeting the TH1/IFN-γ pathway could be an effective treatment strategy for both conditions. Despite differences in clinical presentation, the similarities between the diseases could lead to collaborative research opportunities and the development of new therapies.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Autoimmune Disease Induction in a Healthy Human Organ: A Humanized Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata

75 citations , October 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Alopecia areata can be triggered by specific immune cells without genetic or environmental factors.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Diphencyprone Induced Vitiligo: A Case Report

10 citations , January 2012 in “Case reports in medicine”

Diphencyprone can cause unexpected and possibly permanent vitiligo.

research Concurrence of Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo at the Same Anatomical Site

14 citations , June 2011 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

An 8-year-old boy had both alopecia areata and vitiligo on the same spot on his scalp, which is very rare.

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Unusual Cases

109 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.

research Generalized Vitiligo Associated Autoimmune Diseases in Japanese Patients and Their Families

81 citations , January 2011 in “Allergology International”

Japanese vitiligo patients and their families often have other autoimmune diseases.

research Trichohyalin Is a Potential Major Autoantigen in Human Alopecia Areata

66 citations , July 2010 in “Journal of Proteome Research”

Trichohyalin may trigger the immune response causing alopecia areata.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

research Alopecia Areata as Another Immune-Mediated Disease Developed in Patients Treated with Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Blocker Agents

61 citations , June 2010 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Anti-TNF-α therapy may increase the risk of developing alopecia areata, especially in those with a history of autoimmune disease.

research Renbök Phenomenon and Contact Sensitization in a Patient With Alopecia Universalis

18 citations , April 2010 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Psoriasis or contact dermatitis can override alopecia areata, allowing hair growth.

An Unusual Anatomical Colocalization of Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo in a Child, and Improvement During Treatment with Topical Prostaglandin E2

research An Unusual Anatomical Colocalization of Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo in a Child, and Improvement During Treatment with Topical Prostaglandin E2

14 citations , November 2009 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology”

Topical prostaglandin E2 can help treat both alopecia areata and vitiligo.

research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

71 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery”

Alopecia areata can cause unpredictable hair loss, and treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil may help but have varying side effects.

research Gene Array Profiling and Immunomodulation Studies Define a Cell-Mediated Immune Response Underlying the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata in a Mouse Model and Humans

114 citations , August 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is caused by an immune response, and targeting immune cells might help treat it.

research Cellular And Developmental Aspects Of Androgenetic Alopecia

192 citations , October 1998 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Androgenetic alopecia involves complex hair follicle changes and knowledge gaps remain.

research Colocalization of Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata

17 citations , March 1994 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Vitiligo and alopecia areata may share common causes.

Semantic ratio: 80%