Sachiko Ono1, Atsushi Otsuka2, Yosuke Yamamoto3, Tatsuki R Kataoka4, Itsuko Koyanagi4, Yoshiki Miyachi1, Kenji Kabashima5. 1. Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. 2. Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: otsukamn@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 3. Department of Healthcare Epidemiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. 4. Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. 5. Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: kaba@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-restricted autoimmune condition of the hair follicles (HFs) that presents as nonscarring hair loss. A collapse of immunoprivilege for cell-mediated cytotoxicity and following attacks by cytotoxic T cells to anagen HFs are considered to play a major role in the pathogenesis of AA. However, there has been no useful marker for the activity of AA to date. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine whether granulysin, which is known to reflect the activity of cytotoxic immune responses, is related to the disease activity of AA. METHODS: We evaluated serum granulysin levels in acute and chronic AA patients compared to healthy controls in the perspective of bald skin areas, prognosis, and co-existence of other allergic diseases. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis for granulysin-, CD4-, CD8-, and CD56-positive cells in the lesional skin of acute and chronic AA patients was performed. RESULTS: Serum granulysin levels were significantly elevated in both acute and chronic AA patients (p=0.00081 and p=0.0012, respectively). Intriguingly, serum granulysin levels were significantly associated with the broader bald skin areas (Spearman's r=0.59, p=0.017), and poorer prognosis in acute AA patients (p=0.0080). They were also associated with co-existence of allergic disorders in AA patients (p=0.026). Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that perifollicular granulysin-bearing cells were mainly detected in acute AA lesions with dense lymphocytic infiltration, and that these granulysin-bearing cells were consistent with CD8(+) T cells. CONCLUSION: The serum granulysin level may be a useful and novel marker for the disease activity in the acute phase of AA.
BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-restricted autoimmune condition of the hair follicles (HFs) that presents as nonscarring hair loss. A collapse of immunoprivilege for cell-mediated cytotoxicity and following attacks by cytotoxic T cells to anagen HFs are considered to play a major role in the pathogenesis of AA. However, there has been no useful marker for the activity of AA to date. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine whether granulysin, which is known to reflect the activity of cytotoxic immune responses, is related to the disease activity of AA. METHODS: We evaluated serum granulysin levels in acute and chronic AA patients compared to healthy controls in the perspective of bald skin areas, prognosis, and co-existence of other allergic diseases. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis for granulysin-, CD4-, CD8-, and CD56-positive cells in the lesional skin of acute and chronic AA patients was performed. RESULTS: Serum granulysin levels were significantly elevated in both acute and chronic AA patients (p=0.00081 and p=0.0012, respectively). Intriguingly, serum granulysin levels were significantly associated with the broader bald skin areas (Spearman's r=0.59, p=0.017), and poorer prognosis in acute AA patients (p=0.0080). They were also associated with co-existence of allergic disorders in AA patients (p=0.026). Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that perifollicular granulysin-bearing cells were mainly detected in acute AA lesions with dense lymphocytic infiltration, and that these granulysin-bearing cells were consistent with CD8(+) T cells. CONCLUSION: The serum granulysin level may be a useful and novel marker for the disease activity in the acute phase of AA.
Authors: Magdy Abd El Aziz Ragab; Eman Mohamed Hassan; Dalia Abd El Moaty El Niely; Mai Mahmoud Mohamed Journal: Postepy Dermatol Alergol Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 1.837