The −2T/C polymorphism in the adrenocorticotropin receptor gene affects stress perception of patients with alopecia areata. (11th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Hong‐Wei; Guo, Hong; Li, Ke‐Shen; Wu, Jiang; Yang, Shao‐Yan; Liu, Bao‐Heng; Hao, Fei; Bai, Yun
• Is Part Of: International journal of dermatology. Volume 52:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 441
• Page End: 445
• Publication Date: 2012-12-11
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05749.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-9059

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ijd5749-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ijd5749-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Altered hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis response involved in the pathogenesis of stress‐associated alopecia areata (AA) has been reported. A novel polymorphism −2T>C of the adrenocorticotropin receptor (ACTHR) can result in an insufficient HPA response to stress; therefore, the functional polymorphism may underlie a role in stress‐associated AA.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd5749-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To investigate the relationship between psychosocial factors and the risk of developing AA and to detect the association between the −2T>C polymorphism of ACTHR and AA.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd5749-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Stressful situations were evaluated using Holmes and Rahe's social readjustment rating scale. The ACTHR −2T>C polymorphism was examined in 263 patients with AA and 241 controls.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd5749-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Significant elevation of psychological stress experienced by some patients with AA compared with controls (<italic>Z</italic> = 6.628, <italic>P</italic> < 0.01). The frequency of the ACTHR C allele showed a significant difference between patients with AA and controls (<italic>P</italic> = 0.004). Allele C is the risk allele with a dominant model as the −2C allele occurred more often in patients with AA (<italic>P</italic> = 0.001). There were significant differences between patients with AA with a severe stress attack versus patients with AA with no obvious stress (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001), whereas the genotype frequencies were not correlated with the type, duration of disease, and age at onset. Notably, the C allele carrier was significantly associated with stress risk in both AA and controls (<italic>P</italic> = 0.002, OR = 1.576, 95% CI: 1.148–2.162; <italic>P</italic> = 0.042, OR = 1.529, 95% CI: 1.022–2.288).</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd5749-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These findings suggest AA in some patients may be associated with stress. The ACTHR gene −2T>C variant may be one important factor that influences stress perception of patients with AA.</p> </sec> </abstract>