Serum Levels of Interleukin-2 in Patients with Alopecia Areata: Relationship with Clinical Type and Duration of the Disease

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease characterized by focally, nonscarring hair loss on the scalp or any hair-bearing surface. The etiology is unknown, although the evidence suggests that AA is an immunologically mediated disease. In the pathogenesis of AA, Th1 immune response is predominant. A special cytokine profile is created by Th1 cells, which disturbs the natural balance of the cytokine networks and leads to inflammatory reaction and follicle damage. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate serum concentrations of IL-2 in patients with AA and healthy subjects. We also examined a possible association between serum levels of IL-2, disease severity, and duration of AA. Methods: Sixty patients with AA and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of IL-2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay techniques. Results: Comparison of mean values of IL-2 has showed that serum concentrations of this cytokine are significantly higher in serum samples of AA patients in relation to the control group (22.2 ± 1.19 vs. 21.1 ± 2.68 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.0142). No correlations were found between clinical type, duration of the disease, and serum levels of IL-2. Conclusion: Our findings support the evidence that elevation of serum IL-2 is associated with AA. The exact role of serum IL-2 in AA should be additionally investigated in future studies.