Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scarring hair loss disorder associated with autoimmune conditions. However, the pathobiology of AA is not well understood, and there is no targeted therapy available for AA. METHODS: In this study, differential gene expression analysis, immune status assessment, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and functional enrichment analysis were performed to identify shared genes associated with both immunological response and AA. Machine learning methods were then used to identify three hub genes as potential diagnostic markers for AA. External validation was performed, and the correlation of hub genes with immune infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, and key marker genes and pathways were evaluated. RESULTS: Three hub genes were identified, which accurately predicted the progression of AA and the immune status. The hub genes were found to be diagnostic markers for AA with high predictive accuracy. External validation confirmed the efficacy of these markers in identifying AA patients. CONCLUSION: Overall, the study provides a novel approach for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of AA. The findings could potentially lead to the development of targeted therapies for AA based on the identified hub genes. The study also highlights the potential of machine learning and bioinformatics analysis in identifying new biomarkers for autoimmune diseases.