Mechanism of PPARα agonist in alopecia areata.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement and mechanisms of PPARα agonists in alopecia areata (AA). METHODS: AA models were established using skin grafting, adoptive T-cell transfer, and TCR retrograde T-cell transfer methods. Relative PPARα expression levels in C3H/HeJ AA mice and AA patients were evaluated using qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Hair changes in mice following treatment were documented photographically, while immunofluorescence staining was employed to assess inflammatory factor dynamics in the skin. Additionally, ELISA and flow cytometry were used to analyze AA-related immune factors and cell populations in treated mice. RESULTS: PPARα agonists demonstrated protective effects in C3H/HeJ skin graft AA models and TCR transgenic AA mice, promoting early reversal of AA. They effectively inhibited T effector cell function and exerted immunomodulatory effects. CONCLUSION: The PPARα signaling pathway plays a key role in AA pathogenesis. PPARα agonists show therapeutic potential for AA as an inflammatory condition.