Pigment Cells Trigger Alopecia Areata, Researchers Discovered

Researchers of the Haifa’ Institute of Technology, Israel, have made a new discovery shedding light on some of the cellular triggers of alopecia areata - a widely spread and still mysterious hair loss condition. The researchers have suggested that baldness often starts at the level of melanocytes - the cells that produce hair colour. This new finding has been reported at the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Previously conducted studies revealed the main cause of alopecia areata - a malfunction of the immune system which makes the white blood cells mistakenly attack and destroy the body’s own hair follicles identifying them as foreign and dangerous. However, it was still unclear what exactly triggers the attack. The Israel researchers have discovered that the immune system mistakenly reacts to specific protein molecules, manufactured by pigment cells and located within hair root pockets. This new breakthrough can give scientists a tangible weapon to successfully fight hair loss, if they can find a desensitizing agent that would stop this abnormal immune response to the melanocyte-based proteins.

The immune system attack is launched by CD4+ and CD8+ - the T-cells that guard the body against pathogens and other invading substances. When these T-cells were injected into hair follicles of mice, they triggered a reaction with the pigment cells’ proteins and led to a loss of hair. It was also noted that mice (and people) who are lacking pigment in their hair are less likely to suffer from alopecia areata.

Leading researcher of the study, associate professor Dr. Amos Gilhar, pointed out that alopecia areata is hard to deal with for both patients and doctors, since it is still incurable and causes a lot of emotional distress to its victims. Dr. Richard S. Kalish of Stony Brook University, a study collaborator, added that alopecia areata may be combated by injecting desensitizing substances directly into the hair root cells, thus counteracting the destructive attack of the immune system. However, the researchers admit that new studies are needed in order to further clarify possible triggers, key factors, and mechanisms of baldness.

Medical experts have found the discovery to be very important. Once you know the “enemy”, you can be better equipped in combating the disease, said expert in skin diseases Dr. Alice Gottlieb of Johnson Medical School, New Jersey.

The data of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation show that alopecia areata strikes annually about four million Americans. It often starts with distinct, round bald patches that can gradually spread and sometimes lead to a complete loss of hair. The condition is characterized by recurring episodes and unpredictable prognosis.

Robin Makris