No Basophil Infiltration in Alopecia Areata Irrespective of the Intensity of Eosinophil Infiltration

Abstract

© 2012 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1430 Journal Compilation © 2012 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by T-cell infiltrates and cytokine production around anagen-stage hair follicles. Although AA has traditionally been considered a T-helper (Th) 1 cytokine-mediated disease, association of AA with atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma, all of which are mediated by Th2 cytokines, has been reported in 10–60% of patients (1, 2). In addition, it has been shown that not only Th1, but also Th2, cytokine responses are involved in an animal model of AA (3). Basophils play a critical role in the development of IgE-mediated chronic allergic reactions by functioning as initiator cells (4, 5). In addition, basophils promote Th2 skewing by means of antigen presentation in an IgE-independent manner, and dendritic cells are not necessary in this process (6). Basophil infiltration into the tissues has been demonstrated in a number of human skin diseases, and is generally detected in skin diseases where eosinophils are present (4, 5). Eosinophil infiltration into the skin lesions at any stage is a useful diagnostic feature of AA (7, 8). However, it is not known whether basophils infiltrate into AA skin lesions.