Hong-Wei Guo, Hui-Jun Lai, Bo-Quan Long, Li-Xin Xu, Eddy Hsi Chun Wang, Jerry Shapiro, Kevin J. McElwee
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Stress may play a key role in alopecia areata (AA), though the exact interactions of stress with AA remain undefined. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the proximal regulator of the stress axis, has been recognized as an immunomodulatory factor in tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We used multicolour flow cytometry to identify receptor CRHR1 expression on PBMC subsets in AA patients (n = 54) and controls (n = 66). We found that CRHR1 was primarily expressed by circulating monocytes. CRHR1 expression on monocytes was enhanced in AA compared with controls (3.17% vs. 1.44%, p = 0.002, chi-squared test). AA incidence was correlated to elevated CD14+ monocyte numbers (R = 0.092, p = 0.036) and markedly independently correlated with increased CRHR1 expression (R = 0.215, p = 0.027). High CRHR1 expression was significantly related to chronic AA (disease duration >1 year; p = 0.003, chi-squared test), and large lesion area (AA area >25%; p = 0.049, chi-squared test). We also observed enhanced percentages of active monocytes and reduced CD16+ CD3− NK cell numbers in AA patients' PBMCs (p = 0.010; 0.025, respectively). In vitro CRH treatment of PBMCs and human monocyte cell line THP-1 promoted CD86 upregulation. The findings imply that stress-related factors CRH and CRHR1 contribute to AA development and progression where higher CRHR1 expression is associated with chronic AA and larger lesions.
期刊介绍:
Experimental Dermatology provides a vehicle for the rapid publication of innovative and definitive reports, letters to the editor and review articles covering all aspects of experimental dermatology. Preference is given to papers of immediate importance to other investigators, either by virtue of their new methodology, experimental data or new ideas. The essential criteria for publication are clarity, experimental soundness and novelty. Letters to the editor related to published reports may also be accepted, provided that they are short and scientifically relevant to the reports mentioned, in order to provide a continuing forum for discussion. Review articles represent a state-of-the-art overview and are invited by the editors.