Expression of Micrornas 31, 155 and 29C and Their Relation to Pathogenesis and Severity of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disorder that targets anagen hair follicles. The most widely accepted hypothesis in its pathogenesis is that it is a T-cell–mediated autoimmune condition in genetically predisposed individuals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in disease etiology and treatment. Interestingly, miRNAs 31, 155 and 29c have shown an important role in alopecia areata. Since miRNA can be used as serum biomarker in other autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to assess and compare serum levels of miRNAs 31, 155 and 29c in 50 AA patients with their levels in 50 healthy subjects & correlate their levels to severity of AA. Serum levels of miRNAs 31, 155 and 29c were estimated by qRT-PCR technique and miRNAs 31 and 29c were found to be significantly higher in AA patients compared to controls. MicroRNA 155 however, showed no significant difference between serum levels of AA patients compared to controls. These findings suggest the important role of miRNAs 31, 29c and 155 in the pathogenesis of AA.