Clinical and experimental dermatology
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Jun 2020
Elevated serum tumour necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis in alopecia areata: a possible marker of disease severity.
Alopecia areata (AA) is, an organ-specific autoimmune disease, characterized by an aberrant expression of cytokines of the T helper 1 type. Tumour necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a multifactorial cytokine that exerts a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, especially in cutaneous diseases. ⋯ To our knowledge, this study highlights for the first time a possible link between higher serum TWEAK level and AA. Serum TWEAK level appears to reflect AA disease severity.