Alopecia areata and lichen planus pilaris spectrum (frontal fibrosing alopecia, fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution) are cell-mediated alopecias, the first is non-cicatricial and the second, cicatricial. It is thought that this difference depends on the target of lymphocyte autoimmune aggression, the anagen bulb or the isthmus-stem of the inferior segment of the hair follicle, respectively. The trigger of these reactions is discussed in many papers, but the etiopathogenesis of these disorders is not fully understood. The treatment is not always effective, causing marked distress to the patients, so, further study into the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of these disorders is essential.
Lichen planopilaris demonstrates lymphohistiocytic inflammation, mainly surrounding the isthmus and stem of the inferior segment of hair follicle. The predominant cell type in the infiltrate are CD8 lymphocytes. Without treatment, the follicle may be completely destroyed and substituted by fibrous tract. Alopecia areata shows CD4 T lymphocytes around anagen hair follicle bulbs and CD8 lymphocytes inside the follicular epithelium, without their destruction, but with miniaturization and telogeneization of the follicles.
The triggers of lymphocyte immune- mediated alopecias are presumed to be emotional stress, viral and bacterial infections and drugs.
Treatment of lichen planopilaris and alopecia areata is not always successful and often medication to simply control symptoms are not cost effective and drugs often have unwanted side effects. Research to find a treatment with a better cost to benefit ratio is required in this field
It is also essential to study the triggers of alopecia areata and lichen planus to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and to prevent these disorders, before long term treatment is required.
This Research Topic welcomes the submission of manuscript with an emphasis on, but not limited to, the following themes:
1) Is the hair follicle compromised in the same way in liquen planopilaris and non-pilar lichen planus?
2) Is aggression of the bulge of the hair follicle by the “stray bullet” effect, or is the main target in lichen planopilaris?
3) Early detection of areata and lichen planus to reduce disease severity
4) More cost effective treatment methods
Alopecia areata and lichen planus pilaris spectrum (frontal fibrosing alopecia, fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution) are cell-mediated alopecias, the first is non-cicatricial and the second, cicatricial. It is thought that this difference depends on the target of lymphocyte autoimmune aggression, the anagen bulb or the isthmus-stem of the inferior segment of the hair follicle, respectively. The trigger of these reactions is discussed in many papers, but the etiopathogenesis of these disorders is not fully understood. The treatment is not always effective, causing marked distress to the patients, so, further study into the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of these disorders is essential.
Lichen planopilaris demonstrates lymphohistiocytic inflammation, mainly surrounding the isthmus and stem of the inferior segment of hair follicle. The predominant cell type in the infiltrate are CD8 lymphocytes. Without treatment, the follicle may be completely destroyed and substituted by fibrous tract. Alopecia areata shows CD4 T lymphocytes around anagen hair follicle bulbs and CD8 lymphocytes inside the follicular epithelium, without their destruction, but with miniaturization and telogeneization of the follicles.
The triggers of lymphocyte immune- mediated alopecias are presumed to be emotional stress, viral and bacterial infections and drugs.
Treatment of lichen planopilaris and alopecia areata is not always successful and often medication to simply control symptoms are not cost effective and drugs often have unwanted side effects. Research to find a treatment with a better cost to benefit ratio is required in this field
It is also essential to study the triggers of alopecia areata and lichen planus to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and to prevent these disorders, before long term treatment is required.
This Research Topic welcomes the submission of manuscript with an emphasis on, but not limited to, the following themes:
1) Is the hair follicle compromised in the same way in liquen planopilaris and non-pilar lichen planus?
2) Is aggression of the bulge of the hair follicle by the “stray bullet” effect, or is the main target in lichen planopilaris?
3) Early detection of areata and lichen planus to reduce disease severity
4) More cost effective treatment methods