%0 Journal Article
%T Hair Follicle Melanocytes Initiate Autoimmunity in Alopecia Areata: a Trigger Point.
%A Xie B
%A Sun J
%A Song X
%J Clin Rev Allergy Immunol
%V 0
%N 0
%D Sep 2022 19
%M 36121544
%F 10.817
%R 10.1007/s12016-022-08954-w
%X Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by common non-scarring alopecia due to autoimmune disorders. To date, the specific pathogenesis underlying AA remains unknown. Thus, AA treatment in the dermatological clinic is still a challenge. Numerous clinical observations and experimental studies have established that melanocytes may be the trigger point that causes hair follicles to be attacked by the immune system. A possible mechanism is that the impaired melanocytes, under oxidative stress, cannot be repaired in time and causes apoptosis. Melanocyte-associated autoantigens are released and presented, inducing CD8+ T cell attacks. Thereafter, amplification of the immune responses further spreads to the entire hair follicle (HF). The immune privilege of HF subsequently collapses, leading to AA. Herein, we present a narrative review on the roles of melanocytes in AA pathogenesis, aiming to provide a better understanding of this disease from the melanocyte's perspective.