Assessment of Serum Levels of E-Selectin and L-Selectin in Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Background: Alopecia Areata (AA) is an immune system disease that invades anagen Hair Follicles (HFs) and shows multifactorial etiology. One of the essential histopathological features of AA is a lymphocytic intrusion that envelops HFs. Soluble forms of Endothelial (E), Lymphocytic (L), and Platelets (P)-selectins are known markers of persistent bothering. There are limited examinations for the assessment of serum levels of soluble E-selectin, L-selectin, and P-selectin in patients with AA. Objectives: We assessed serum levels of soluble E-selectin and L-selectin in patients with in association with the control group to determine their role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: The study included 30 patients with AA and 10 healthy subjects who served as controls. Blood samples were taken from all patients and controls. The serum levels of soluble E-selectin and L-selectin were determined with the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: Higher levels of sE-selectin and sL-selectin were found in AA patients than in controls. There was a significant relationship between the higher serum levels of sE-selectin and the increased size of lesions with time. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of sE-selectin and sL-selectin and the percentage of hair loss. Conclusions: This study showed that sE-selectin and sL-selectin may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AA and might open a way to future treatments for this disease.