Non-Invasive Scalp Tape-Strip RNA Sequencing Captures Disease Activity and Treatment-Response Signatures in Alopecia Areata - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #Alopecia Areata
- #JAK-STAT Signaling
- #RNA Sequencing
- Non-invasive scalp tape-strip RNA sequencing effectively captures immune activity, disease severity, and treatment response in alopecia areata (AA).
- The study analyzed 61 RNA-seq profiles, including tape-strip samples from healthy controls, active AA patients, and post-baricitinib responders and non-responders, alongside lesional scalp biopsies.
- Results showed robust recapitulation of AA-associated immune signatures, including interferon/JAK-STAT signaling and cytotoxic T/NK cell pathways, with suppression of follicular epithelial programs.
- Disease severity correlated with progressive immune activation and epithelial loss, while baricitinib responders exhibited partial normalization of inflammatory signatures.
- Tape-strip and biopsy transcriptomes demonstrated high concordance, indicating tape-strip RNA sequencing as a promising tool for longitudinal immune monitoring and treatment response stratification in AA.