الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Although Alopecia areata (AA) is considered an autoimmune disease in which collapse of hair follicle immune privilege leads to subsequent autoimmune attack, several gaps are still present in our understanding of the pathogenesis. Alteration in T - lymphocyte function and cytokines secreted by T- cell subsets has been proposed in the immunopathogenesis of AA. The role of regulatory T - cells (Tregs) and T Helper 17 cells (Th17) in the pathogenesis of AA has not been established. Our aim was to study the levels of expression of Tregs marker (Foxp3), Th17 cytokines (IL - 17 and IL - 22) and B cell activating factor (BAFF) in tissue and sera of patients with AA. 20 patients with AA as well as 20 age and sex matched healthy controls were included. Clinical examination was done and tissue levels of Foxp3 were assessed by immunohistochemical staining, whereas tissue and serum levels of IL - 17, IL - 22 and BAFF were measured by ELISA |