AUTHOR=Wan Sheng , Xu Wen , Xie Bo , Guan Cuiping , Song Xiuzu 

TITLE=The potential of regulatory T cell-based therapies for alopecia areata

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1111547

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1111547

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Cytotoxic T lymphocyte has been a concern for the etiopathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA), some recent evidence suggests that the regulatory T (T<sub>reg</sub>) cell deficiency is also a contributing factor. In the lesional scalp of AA, T<sub>reg</sub> cells residing in the follicles are impaired, leading to dysregulated local immunity and hair follicle (HF) regeneration disorders. New strategies are emerging to modulate T<sub>reg</sub> cells’ number and function for autoimmune diseases. There is much interest to boost T<sub>reg</sub> cells in AA patients to suppress the abnormal autoimmunity of HF and stimulate hair regeneration. With few satisfactory therapeutic regimens available for AA, T<sub>reg</sub> cell-based therapies could be the way forward. Specifically, CAR-T<sub>reg</sub> cells and novel formulations of low-dose IL-2 are the alternatives.</p>