Serum Interleukin-4 and Total Immunoglobulin E in Nonatopic Alopecia Areata Patients and HLA-DRB1 Typing

Abstract EN

Background.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a Th2 cytokine, can stimulate immunoglobulin E (IgE) transcription.

No previous studies evaluated the genetic mechanisms in nonatopic AA patients with elevated serum IgE.

Objective.

To compare serum IL-4 and total IgE levels between Egyptian nonatopic AA patients and healthy subjects and to investigate a possible relation to HLA-DRB1 alleles.

Results.

Serum IL-4 and total IgE were measured by ELISA in 40 controls and 54 nonatopic AA patients.

Patients' HLA-DRB1 typing by sequence specific oligonucleotide probe technique was compared to normal Egyptian population.

We found significantly elevated serum IL-4 and total IgE in AA patients (particularly alopecia universalis, AU, and chronic patients) (P<.01).

HLA-DRB1*11 is a general susceptibility/chronicity allele.

DRB1*13 is a protective allele.

DRB1*01 and DRB1*07 are linked to chronicity.

Localized AA showed decreased DRB1*03 and DRB1*07.

Extensive forms showed increased DRB1*08 and decreased DRB1*04.

Elevated IL4 and IgE were observed in patients with DRB1*07 and DRB1*11 not DRB1*04.

Conclusion.

Serum IL-4 and IgE are elevated in nonatopic AA patients, particularly AU and chronic disease.

Relevant susceptibility, chronicity, and severity HLADRB1 alleles may have a role in determining type, magnitude, and duration of immune response in AA favouring increased IL4 and IgE.