Mapping AIRE in Alopecia Areata Skin Biopsies
Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
Overview:
Children and teens with alopecia areata can suddenly lose patches of hair when the immune system mistakes hair follicles as a threat. The protein called autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is best known for helping to train immune cells in the thymus, so they do not attack the body. We recently found that AIRE is also present in the skin and in hair follicles, but we do not yet know what it does there. In this project, I will study skin samples from patients with alopecia areata and map where AIRE appears in the follicle unit. I will compare patterns between mild and severe disease and review which treatments those patients received. The goal is to learn whether AIRE levels in the hair follicle relate to disease severity or response to therapy. These insights could point to a simple tissue marker and open new paths to guide therapy.
Status:
This was funded through a 2025 PeDRA Emerging Investigator Research Grant.