Collapse of immune privilege in alopecia areata: Coincidental or substantial

Abstract

Only indirect evidence supports the concept that a collapse of immune privilege (IP) in hair follicles leads to the development of alopecia areata (AA). In this issue, Kang et al. provide further evidence to support this theory, demonstrating downregulation of the expression of several genes important for the immunosuppressive environment in lesional and perilesional areas of AA. © 2010 The Society for Investigative Dermatology.