Association betweenIL17A/IL17RAGene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Alopecia Areata in the Korean Population

Abstract

BackgroundAlopecia areata is marked by autoimmune assault on the hair follicle resulting in hair loss. T helper 17 cell subset has important roles in protecting the host against extracellular pathogens, however, also promotes inflammatory pathology in autoimmune disease, and it expresses both interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F, which can signal via the IL-17 receptor A.ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of IL17A and IL17RA gene polymorphisms in the susceptibility to alopecia areata.MethodsWe conducted case-control association study of 238 alopecia areata patients and 270 matched healthy controls. Allele frequency of total 2 single nucleotide polymorphims in the IL17A gene and 4 single nucleotide polymorphims in the IL17RA gene were studied. The statistical analyses were performed according to onset age, the presence of familyhistory, clinical subtypes, and presence of nail involvement or body hair involvement.ResultsOne single nucleotide polymorphim (rs879577) of IL17RA gene showed significant difference between alopecia areata patients group and controls group (p= 0.0288). One single nucleotide polymorphim (rs4819554) of IL17RA gene showed significant difference between the early onset and late onset alopecia areata (p=0.0421).ConclusionIL17RA gene polymorphism might contribute to the increased susceptibility to alopecia areata in Korean population, and IL17RA gene polymorphism may be associated with onset age.

The role of lymphocytes in the development and treatment of alopecia areata

“…IL-23, a cytokine produced by dendritic cells and other antigen-presenting cells, serves as a pivotal factor that drives both the differentiation and inflammatory functions of pathogenic T H 17 cells [97]. It has been revealed that SNPs of the IL17RA gene are associated with AA onset age in Korean patients [98]. Serum cytokine levels of IL-17A are significantly increased, and TGFβ1 is significantly decreased, in patients with AA compared with controls [99].…”

Comparison of Interleukin-17- Producing Cells in Different Clinical Types of Alopecia Areata

“…Among them, T helper 17 cells, characterized by interleukin-17 (IL-17) production, play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease [5]. Interestingly, Lew et al [6] recently reported an association between IL17RA gene polymorphism and AA. In this report, we performed a quantitative analysis of IL-17-producing cells in the lesional skin of several clinical types of AA (multiple patchy types, totalis types and ADTA).…”

New Modalities in the Treatment of Refractory Alopecia Areata

“…Lew et al conducted a case-control association study of 238 AA patients, in which, IL17A and IL17RA (IL-17A receptor) gene polymorphisms were detected [100].…”