CHANGES IN POPULATIONS OF HLA-DR-CD16+ CELLS IN ALOPECIA-AREATA AFTERCORTICOSTEROID-THERAPY(CD3+ CELLS AND CD57)

We investigated the populations of activated T (HLA-DR+CD3+) cells and natural killer (CD57-CD16+) cells in the peripheral blood of patients with various types of alopecia areata (AA) and noted any changes that occurred in the said populations after administration of local and sy stemic corticosteroid therapy. In type 2 (severe multiple AA and alope cia totalis) and type 3 (alopecia universalis), the mean percentages o f HLA-DR+CD3+ cells and CD57-CD16+ cells were significantly higher whe n compared with those of the normal controls. The percentages of both subsets in type 1 (mild AA) and the normal controls were consistent. T wenty-four patients in types 2 and 3 had received corticosteroid treat ment, and all patients experienced new hair growth. With the changes i n disease activity, the populations of HLA-DR+CD3+ cells in these pati ents after corticosteroid therapy significantly decreased when compare d with those recorded prior to treatment. Subsequent to treatment, the mean percentages of CD57-CD16+ cells decreased to levels that were no t significant relative to that of the normal controls. These findings indicate that HLA-DR+CD3+ and CD57-CD16+ cells in the peripheral blood of patients with AA may be correlated with the disease activity of AA .