Serum concentrations of selected proinflammatory cytokines in children with alopecia areata

Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is considered an autoimmune disorder characterized by patchy loss of hair from the scalp and other body parts. Many patients develop the disease in childhood. Aim: To answer the question whether abnormal production of some proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFN-gamma) in children with AA may facilitate the development or progression of the disease. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 42 children with AA, the control group - 37 healthy children. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from patients with AA and healthy controls and the concentrations of serum cytokines, namely IL-2, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A, IFN-gamma were determined quantitatively by ELISA method. Results: The serum IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFN-gamma levels were significantly increased in patients with AA compared with control subjects (p < 0.05). The serum IL-15 level was found to be increased when the total duration of AA was increased (q = 0.30; p = 0.05). The serum cytokine level of IL-17A was found to be decreased when duration of the current episode was longer than 2 years (p < 0.05), but the correlation between IL-17A serum level and duration of the current episode was not confirmed in the Spearman test (q = -0.06; p = 0.68). The serum IL-17A level was found to be significantly decreased when the thyroiditis was present (q = - 2.378; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The increased levels of serum IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A and IFN-gamma in children suggest imbalance in the serum proinflammatory cytokines production in AA.