Treatment of alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice with the topical immunosuppressant FK506 (Tacrolimus).
Alopecia areata-like hair loss has been observed in C3H/HeJ mice and can be defined as a tissue-restricted T cell mediated disease of the hair follicle. Because FK506 has been described as suppressing T cell mediated autoimmune diseases, we addressed the question whether topical treatment of C3H/HeJ mice with FK506 has a beneficial effect on alopecia areata (AA). For this purpose six C3H/HeJ mice with AA were treated topically with 0.1% FK506 ointment, four mice received the vehicle only. Four of six FK506-treated mice showed complete hair regrowth, whereas 1/4 vehicle-treated mice regrew hair. Mice treated successfully with FK506 had reduced perifollicular infiltrates of CD4+ and CD8+ cells and a decreased expression of MHC class I and II and ICAM-1 on hair follicle epithelium, compared to control mice. We conclude that topical treatment with FK506 is able to induce hair regrowth in AA of C3H/HeJ mice, most likely by suppressing the T cell mediated immune response.
Freyschmidt-Paul
P
P
Department of Dermatology, Philipp University, Deutschhausstrasse 9, 35033 Marburg, Germany. freyschm@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Ziegler
A
A
McElwee
K J
KJ
Happle
R
R
Kissling
S
S
Sundberg
J P
JP
Hoffmann
R
R
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D016559:Tacrolimus