title: What can the genetics of psoriasis teach us about alopecia areata?
abstract: Previous genetic epidemiological studies of psoriasis and alopecia areata demonstrated strong heritability in first-degree relatives and in twins. In recent years, these two conditions have emerged as two skin diseases that are starting to yield their secrets through genome-wide association studies. Both diseases manifest prominent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations, psoriasis primarily with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class 1, specifically HLA-Cw6, and alopecia areata primarily with MHC Class II. Despite these differences in HLA associations, both diseases have in common a prominent role for CD8+ lymphocytes. The purpose of this brief review is to present the recent developments in the genetics of psoriasis.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School and Ann Arbor VA Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors: James T
authors: JT
authors: Elder
mesh_terms: D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015236:HLA-C Antigens; C528994:HLA-C*06 antigen