Researchers at Technion target alopecia areata genetics
2007 SEP 11 -- A report, "Lymphocytes, neuropeptides, and genes involved in alopecia areata," is newly published data in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. "Many lessons in autoimmunity -particularly relating to the role of immune privilege and the interplay between genetics and neuroimmunology -can be learned from the study of alopecia areata, the most common cause of inflammation-induced hair loss. Alopecia areata is now understood to represent an organ-restricted, T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of hair follicles," scientists in Haifa, Israel report. "Disease induction is associated with collapse of hair follicle immune privilege in both humans and in animal models. Here, the role of HLA associations, other immunogenetic factors, and neuroendocrine parameters in alopecia areata pathogenesis are reviewed," wrote A. Gilhar and colleagues, Technion. The researchers concluded: "This instructive and clinically significant model disease deserves more widespread interest in the immunology community." Gilhar and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (Lymphocytes, neuropeptides, and genes involved in alopecia areata. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2007;117(8):2019-27). For more information, contact A. Gilhar, Skin Research Laboratory, The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and Flieman Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Clinical Investigation is: American Society Clinical Investigation Inc., 35 Research Dr., Ste. 300, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA. Keywords: Israel, Haifa, Alopecia Areata Genetics, Alopecia Areata, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorder, Dermatology, Genetics, Immunology, Rheumatology. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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