concanavalin-a and Alopecia-Areata

The response to the T-cell growth factor interleukin-2 (IL-2) and to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con-A) were investigated in 63 patients with alopecia areata (AA) and in control subjects. The proliferative response to mitogens and to IL-2 determined by measuring [3H]-thymidine incorporation 72 h after stimulation is generally decreased in AA patients. The response to mitogens and to IL-2 was related to the response to the topical sensitizer SADBE (squaric acid dibutylester) and patients with no allergic reaction to this substance showed a marked reduction in lymphocyte stimulation, especially with IL-2. HLA typing of 34 of the 63 AA patients was performed in order to investigate the immunogenetic basis of hyporesponsiveness to topical sensitization. The relationship between reduced in vitro response to mitogens and particularly to IL-2, and in vivo response to sensitization to SADBE and the presence of HLA-DR5 are discussed.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Alopecia Areata; Child; Concanavalin A; Cyclobutanes; HLA-DR Antigens; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Interleukin-2; Lymphocyte Activation; Middle Aged; Phytohemagglutinins

Several values of immunologic function were studied and correlated with disease activity and extent in 14 patients with alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis and in a concurrently studied age- and sex-matched control group. As compared with the control group, the patients showed a significantly increased incidence of autoantibody formation, increased concanavalin A-induced suppression of the normal lymphocyte response to mitogens, an increased proportion of suppressor-cytotoxic cells in the peripheral blood, and a decrease in the absolute B-cell count. Absolute total T-cell counts, quantitative serum immunoglobulin determinations, and lymphocyte proliferation after exposure to the mitogens--concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed--and to tetanus antigen were comparable for both groups. Neither the percentage of concanavalin A-induced suppression of the normal lymphocyte response to mitogens nor the helper-suppressor ratio correlated significantly with the extent of hair loss. However, patients, particularly those who demonstrated spontaneous regrowth of hair, had increased concanavalin A-induced suppression in conjunction with an increase in the proportion of peripheral suppressor cells.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alopecia; Alopecia Areata; Autoantibodies; B-Lymphocytes; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Middle Aged; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

Ten members of a white American family, spanning three generations, were studied. Three family members from two different generations were affected with hair loss. Two had alopecia universalis; one had alopecia areata. All subjects were HLA-typed using 131 antiserum samples obtained from multiparous female donors defining 41 HLA-A and HLA-B antigen specificities. Six haplotypes were identified. The affected persons and four other family members shared a common haplotype, HLA-A2,B40. The OKT4 (helper), OKT8 (suppressor-cytotoxic) cells, OKT4-OKT8 (helper-suppressor-cytotoxic) ratios and the percentage of B cells found were comparable for both the 12 control subjects and the family members studied. However, family members showed increased autoantibody formation, decreased T-cell percentages, and concanavalin A-induced suppression of the normal lymphocyte response to mitogens.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alopecia Areata; Autoantibodies; B-Lymphocytes; Concanavalin A; Female; Haploidy; HLA Antigens; HLA-A2 Antigen; HLA-B Antigens; HLA-B40 Antigen; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Minnesota; Pedigree; T-Lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alopecia Areata; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Concanavalin A; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Activation; Middle Aged; Phytohemagglutinins; Pokeweed Mitogens; T-Lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

A study of cell-mediated immunity was carried out in total of 69 subjects with alopecia areata (AA) of the scalp in various phases of its evolution. The blastic responses to mitogens PHA, Con A, and PWM proved significantly reduced, quite independently of the phase of the disease. The total E-rosettes test demonstrated a significant reduction in T-lymphocytes in patients with active AA. On the other hand, no significant differences could be demonstrated between the patients and the controls by means of active E rosette test. The mean values for Tgamma and for theophylline-sensitive T-lymphocytes were reduced in patients with active AA. The significance of the results is discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alopecia Areata; Animals; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Middle Aged; Phytohemagglutinins; Pokeweed Mitogens; Rabbits; Rosette Formation; T-Lymphocytes; Theophylline