Disturbance of Immune Microenvironment in Androgenetic Alopecia through Spatial Transcriptomics
Issued Date
2024-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16616596
eISSN
14220067
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85202633023
Journal Title
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume
25
Issue
16
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol.25 No.16 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Charoensuksira S., Tantiwong S., Pongklaokam J., Hanvivattanakul S., Surinlert P., Krajarng A., Thanasarnaksorn W., Hongeng S., Ponnikorn S. Disturbance of Immune Microenvironment in Androgenetic Alopecia through Spatial Transcriptomics. International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol.25 No.16 (2024). doi:10.3390/ijms25169031 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/100955
Title
Disturbance of Immune Microenvironment in Androgenetic Alopecia through Spatial Transcriptomics
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by microinflammation and abnormal immune responses, particularly in the upper segment of hair follicles (HFs). However, the precise patterns of immune dysregulation remain unclear, partly due to limitations in current analysis techniques to preserve tissue architecture. The infundibulum, a major part of the upper segment of HFs, is associated with significant clusters of immune cells. In this study, we investigated immune cells around the infundibulum, referred to as peri-infundibular immune infiltration (PII). We employed spatial transcriptome profiling, a high-throughput analysis technology, to investigate the immunological disruptions within the PII region. Our comprehensive analysis included an evaluation of overall immune infiltrates, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), cellular deconvolution, differential expression analysis, over-representation analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and upstream regulator analysis to identify cell types and molecular dysregulation in immune cells. Our results demonstrated significant differences in immune signatures between the PII of AGA patients (PII-A) and the PII of control donors (PII-C). Specifically, PII-A exhibited an enrichment of CD4+ helper T cells, distinct immune response patterns, and a bias toward a T helper (Th) 2 response. Immunohistochemistry revealed disruptions in T cell subpopulations, with more CD4+ T cells displaying an elevated Th2 response and a reduced Th1-cytotoxic response compared to PII-C. These findings reveal the unique immune landscapes of PII-A and PII-C, suggesting potential for the development of innovative treatment approaches.