Al Taweel Abdul-Aziz Ibrahim, Hamed Ahmed Mohamed, Abdelrahman Amira Mohamed Noureldin, Hassan Mona Nady Ibrahim
Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha Univesity, Banha, Egypt.
Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha Univesity, Banha, Egypt.
Int J Trichology. 2019 May-Jun;11(3):113-117. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_9_19.
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of nonscarring hair loss of scalp and/or body. Genetic predisposition, autoimmunity, and environmental factors play a major role in the etiopathogenesis of AA. Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a multifunctional cytokine expressed on various cell types and tissues and acts through binding to its sole receptor factor-inducible 14 (Fn14). TWEAK/Fn14 activation contributes to various pathological processes, including cell proliferation and death, angiogenesis, carcinogenesis, and inflammation.
The aim of this current study was to measure serum levels of TWEAK in patients with AA and to assess the correlation between it and severity of the disease.
This study included 50 patients who had patchy AA, in addition to 50 apparently healthy controls. Severity of AA was assessed using Severity of Alopecia Tool Score. Serum TWEAK levels in all participants were determined using ELISA technique and were correlated with the severity of the disease.
Mean serum levels of TWEAK were significantly higher in AA patients, with a positive significant correlation between serum levels of TWEAK and severity of the disease.
TWEAK as a novel marker of many autoimmune inflammatory dermatological diseases, could be a promising marker in the diagnosis of AA, and also can be used as a prognostic marker for its severity.
斑秃（AA）是头皮和/或身体非瘢痕性脱发的常见形式。遗传易感性、自身免疫和环境因素在斑秃的发病机制中起主要作用。肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡弱诱导剂（TWEAK）是一种在多种细胞类型和组织中表达的多功能细胞因子，通过与其唯一受体诱导因子14（Fn14）结合发挥作用。TWEAK/Fn14激活参与多种病理过程，包括细胞增殖与死亡、血管生成、致癌作用和炎症。
本研究旨在测定斑秃患者血清中TWEAK水平，并评估其与疾病严重程度之间的相关性。
本研究纳入50例斑秃患者，另设50例健康对照。采用脱发严重程度工具评分评估斑秃严重程度。采用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）技术测定所有参与者血清TWEAK水平，并将其与疾病严重程度进行相关性分析。
斑秃患者血清TWEAK平均水平显著更高，血清TWEAK水平与疾病严重程度呈显著正相关。
TWEAK作为许多自身免疫性炎症性皮肤病的新型标志物，可能是斑秃诊断中有前景的标志物，也可作为其严重程度的预后标志物。
