Immunohistochemical study assessing stem cell factor receptor C-kit in patients with alopecia

Background Stem cell factor receptor c-kit is a transmembrane protein with tyrosine kinase activity encoded by the oncogene c-kit. The stem cell factor/c-kit signaling may be involved in the pathological processes of alopecia. Objective The aim was to elucidate the role of the stem cell factor receptor c-kit in the pathogenesis of some types of alopecia. Patients and methods The study included 80 patients (52 had alopecia areata and 28 had androgenetic alopecia), in addition to 40 normal healthy persons who served as a control group. Skin biopsies were obtained from each participant and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and stem cell factor receptor c-kit. Results There was a statistically significant increase in intensity and count of stem cell factor receptor c-kit-positive cell expression in alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia than in normal control specimens. There was a positive correlation between the intensity and count of stem cell factor receptor c-kit-positive cells in relation to the severity of alopecia. Conclusions Stem cell factor receptor c-kit was implicated in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia, and it could have a predictive role in the progression of alopecia in high-risk patients.