BioScience Trends. 2024;18(2):198-200. (DOI: 10.5582/bst.2024.01084)

Elevation of circulating DNAs of disease-associated cytokines in serum cell-free DNA from patients with alopecia areata

Sawamura S, Myangat TM, Kajihara I, Makino K, Aoi J, Masuguchi S, Fukushima S


SUMMARY

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to hair follicles and hair loss. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has recently received attention as a biomarker of various disorders including inflammatory skin diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of cfDNA and the circulating DNAs of disease-associated cytokines in AA patients. Serum samples were obtained from 63 patients with AA and 32 healthy controls (HC). Using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction, circulating C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 9, CXCL10, CXCL11, C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL) -7, IL-15, and Janus kinase (JAK) 2 were detectable in both HC and AA patients. Among the detectable DNAs, copies of circulating CXCL9, CXCL11, IL-15, IFN-γ, and JAK2 were significantly higher in AA patients than in HC. These results suggest that increased circulating DNA levels may reflect damage to hair follicles in AA patients.


KEYWORDS: liquid biopsy, chemokine, Janus kinase, digital PCR

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