574 | id == 574
574 | category_id == 30
574 | category_order == 27
574 | category_name == Hair Loss
574 | category_color == #C47AC0
574 | slug == IL2RA-alopecia-areata
574 | title == Can Tregs Suppress Autoimmunity in Alopecia Areata? (IL2RA)
574 | meta_description == The IL2RA gene encodes a receptor for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-2. How is it connected to alopecia areata?
574 | summary == <p><strong>The <em>IL2RA </em>gene encodes a receptor for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-2. How is it connected to autoimmune hair loss? Read on to find out.</strong></p>
574 | overall_score_text == Your Hair Loss Score (based on IL2RA)
574 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/IL2RA-Alopecia-areata.jpg
574 | author_id == 1
574 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
574 | author_title == BSc, BEd
574 | author_order == 36
574 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
574 | author_intro == <p><strong>Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.</strong></p>    <p>Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.</p>
574 | reviewer == None
574 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
574 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
574 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
574 | publish_date == 2020
574 | publish_date == 12
574 | publish_date == 29
574 | avg_rating == 5.0
574 | tags_id == 88
574 | tags_name == Alopecia Areata
574 | tags_id == 33
574 | tags_name == Autoimmunity
574 | tags_id == 393
574 | tags_name == IL-2
574 | tags_id == 921
574 | tags_name == IL2RA gene
574 | tags_id == 95
574 | tags_name == Immune System
574 | tags_id == 24
574 | tags_name == Inflammation
574 | tags_id == 442
574 | tags_name == T Cells
574 | tags_id == 104
574 | tags_name == Tregs
574 | permissions_favorite == False
574 | permissions_rate == False
574 | content_article == <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL2RA</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes a receptor for interleukin-2. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL2RA</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may play a role in alopecia areata by reducing the production or activity of Treg cells. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by increasing IL-2 and Treg production.</span></p> <h2><strong><em>IL2RA </em></strong><strong>and Alopecia Areata</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/il2ra/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL2RA</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene helps make a receptor for interleukin-2 (IL-2), a crucial protein involved in the immune response. By promoting the growth of </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/treg/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">regulatory T cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/treg/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tregs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), IL-2 helps reduce the inflammation associated with both allergies and autoimmunity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3559"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2706157/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3432919/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27259854/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6986328/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-2 increases the production of memory T cells, which &ldquo;remember&rdquo; and grant immunity to previously encountered infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29980618"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15473953/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28948612"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-2 also helps subdue the immune response and prevent autoimmunity. IL-2 prevents autoimmune inflammation by increasing Tregs (regulatory T cells) and decreasing the production of highly inflammatory </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/supplements-people-th1-dominant/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Th1</span></a><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/th17/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">7</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Animals lacking IL-2 develop serious autoimmune conditions. As such, IL-2 is primarily anti-inflammatory [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29980618"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15473953/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100298/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Animals that lack IL-2 develop serious autoimmune diseases. IL-2 appears to suppress autoimmunity by increasing Tregs (regulatory T cells) and decreasing the production of highly inflammatory Th17 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16333313"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29980618"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15473953/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100298/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which immune cells invade the hair follicles and interrupt the hair growth cycle. People with severe forms of alopecia areata tend to have lower levels of IL-2. In fact, some researchers have recently proposed administering low levels of IL-2 as a treatment for alopecia areata, but this potential therapy has not been fully developed [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573125/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6219233/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32941917/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One variant in the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL2RA</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene has been associated with alopecia areata. This variant likely decreases IL-2 production, leading to reduced Tregs and increased susceptibility to autoimmune inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4451186/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921172/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The IL2RA gene encodes a receptor for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-2. IL-2 stimulates Treg production and decreases autoimmune inflammation, and genetic variants with low IL-2 activity are associated with alopecia areata.</span></p> <h2><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>IL2RA</em></strong><strong> Results for Alopecia Areata</strong></h2> <p>*7357591515865911*</p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/il2ra/"><strong>IL2RA</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs3118470/"><strong>rs3118470</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4451186/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921172/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Associated with relatively lower rates of alopecia areata</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher rates of alopecia areata</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele may decrease IL-2 production, leading to reduced Tregs and increased susceptibility to autoimmune inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29980618"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15473953/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100298/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p>*1628040956879886*</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations for Improving Hair Growth</strong></h2> <p>*3988560478559326*</p> <h3><strong>Avoid Cigarettes</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to one study, cigarette smoke exposure interferes with the immune system and reduces the production of IL-2 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10932071/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a study of over 60,000 people, of whom 154 developed patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), smoking was associated with an approximately 2-fold incidence of this condition. Cigarette smoke may cause oxidative and inflammatory damage in the hair follicles, and impair hair growth [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32761499/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12673073/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cigarette smoke exposure may reduce IL-2 production and increase the risk of alopecia areata.</span></p> <h3><strong>Vitamin D</strong></h3> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> stimulates IL-2, and they work together to increase the activity of Tregs and suppress inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2810518/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12051670/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Low blood </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> levels have been associated with increased incidence, severity, and duration of patchy hair loss (alopecia areata) in multiple studies [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25058999/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29633370/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29869122/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29243839/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31110371/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an uncontrolled trial of 48 people with this condition, a synthetic derivative of vitamin D (calcipotriol) applied topically for 12 weeks caused hair regrowth of at least 50% in 75% of the patients and full regrowth in 27%. Both this chemical and UV-B radiation (which stimulates vitamin D production) were similarly effective in a placebo-controlled trial of 60 people [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26091388/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31236672/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Vitamin D promotes IL-2 production, which increases Treg activity and may prevent more severe or longer-lasting forms of alopecia areata.</span></p> <h3><strong>Topical Garlic</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In cell studies, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/garlic-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">garlic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and its active compound allicin supported the immune response by increasing IL-2 production. Clinical studies are needed to confirm this effect in humans [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10737264/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30500420/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8402735/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a placebo-controlled trial of 40 people with patchy hair loss (alopecia areata) a topical </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/garlic-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">garlic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gel applied twice daily for 3 months as an add-on to corticosteroids significantly improved hair regrowth [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17314444/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Topical garlic may increase IL-2 production and improve hair growth in alopecia areata.</span></p>
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574 | content_learn_more_1628040956879886_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your IL2RA gene is somewhat associated with autoimmune-mediated hair loss. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of alopecia areata; it’s just one gene related to it. Avoiding cigarettes and using topical vitamin D or garlic may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
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574 | content_recommendation_3988560478559326_blur == True
574 | content_recommendation_3988560478559326_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs3118470
rsStatus = rs3118470,IL2RA,chr10,6059750,T,A,C,,32,0,Normal
