LB708 ILC1-like innate lymphocytes in human autoimmunity: Lessons from Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Innate lymphoid cells type 1 (ILC1) express NKG2D and produce large amounts of IFN-γ, i.e. two key elements in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA). In this study, we aimed to explore a possible involvement of ILC1-like cells in human AA by using ex-vivo and in-vivo models for human AA. Triple immunofluorescence staining of AA sections revealed pathological infiltrates of NKG2D+ ILC1-like cells in and around the anagen hair bulb of lesional AA HFs, but also (more discretely) in/around non-lesional AA HFs, together with a dominant infiltrate of CD8+/NKG2D+ cells.