IL-33 connection to asthma, alopecia areata

This is a photo of male hair loss.

Understanding the connection and potential benefit of interleukin (IL)-33 to both a common respiratory disease and an autoimmune disorder is gaining new insight. In a recent study, Chinese researchers traced the role of IL-33 in asthma and alopecia areata, and whether it serves as a key mediator.

The study, “Interleukin-33 Links Asthma to Alopecia Areata: Mendelian Randomization and Mediation Analysis,” was published in Skin Research and Technology and found that having asthma significantly increased the risk of developing alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.

“Our findings may elucidate causal pathways linking asthma and alopecia areata, identifying IL-33 as a potential mediator,” the researchers wrote. “This discovery could pave the way for novel diagnostic biomarkers and innovative therapeutic targets.”

Results from the study indicated that the presence of IL-33 accounted for a 13.1% mediation effect.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) for asthma was used for the Mendelian randomization analysis. It looked at data drawn from the IEU Open GWAS database of 56,087 asthma cases and 428,511 control subjects of European ancestry. The team highlighted 91 circulating inflammatory proteins identified through the Olink Target platform gathered from 14,824 Europeans.

According to researchers, approximately 2% of the world’s population has alopecia areata and the numbers are on the rise. Additionally, they said recent epidemiological research has identified a connection between asthma and alopecia.

Researchers noted two study limitations, including the lack of a more diverse population and its observational design.

“Despite these limitations, our research represents a foundational step towards a deeper understanding of the interaction between asthma and alopecia areata,” the researchers wrote. “It offers valuable hypotheses for further exploration and underscores the importance of continued research in this area.”

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