THE PATHOGENESIS OF ALOPECIA-AREATA

Knowledge of the disease mechanisms in alopecia areata is discussed in the Light of progress in hair biology, immunology, and genetics. A di sease model is presented incorporating polygenic determination of dise ase severity and susceptibility with largely unknown trigger factors r esponsible for initiating clinical disease expression. Experimental sy stems including animal models for alopecia areata offer new opportunit ies for investigation of alopecia areata and developing novel therapie s.