Evaluation of the serum level of regulation upon activation of normal T-cell expressed and secreted protein in different types of alopecia areata

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a tissue-specific autoimmune disease of the hair follicle resulting in hair loss. It can be induced by the transfer of Tcells that recognize a hair follicle autoantigen. Regulation upon activation of normal T-cell expressed and secreted protein (RANTES) (chemokine ligand 5) is a strong chemoattractant for T cells that regulates immunity and inflammation, and thus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AA. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of RANTES in different clinical types of AA patients and to correlate it with the type, the duration, the severity, and the activity of the disease. Patients and methods: In this case–control study, serum levels of RANTES were measured in 40 AA patients and 40 healthy age-matched and sex-matched volunteers serving as controls, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results: Serum RANTES levels were significantly increased among patients with AA when compared with normal controls (P= 0.004). Moreover, statistically significant positive correlations were found between serum RANTES levels and the duration, the activity, and the severity of the disease (P= 0.001). Conclusion: The elevation of serum RANTES levels in AA and its correlation with the disease activity suggests a significant role in the development of AA through the chemoattraction of T cells. Therefore, its assessment appears to be useful as a marker of disease activity and severity, while inhibiting its production may provide a therapeutic benefit.