584 | id == 584
584 | category_id == 30
584 | category_order == 27
584 | category_name == Hair Loss
584 | category_color == #C47AC0
584 | slug == RAET1L-alopecia-areata
584 | title == Are Natural Killer Cells Protective Against Alopecia Areata? (RAET1L)
584 | meta_description == RAET1L encodes a protein that activates natural killer cells. How does it affect autoimmunity and hair loss? Find out here.
584 | summary == <p><strong><em>RAET1L </em>encodes a protein that activates natural killer cells. How does it affect autoimmunity and hair loss? Read on to find out.</strong></p>
584 | overall_score_text == Your Hair Loss Score (based on RAET1L)
584 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/RAET1L-Alopecia-areata.jpg
584 | author_id == 1
584 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
584 | author_title == BSc, BEd
584 | author_order == 36
584 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
584 | 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>
584 | reviewer == None
584 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
584 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
584 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
584 | publish_date == 2020
584 | publish_date == 12
584 | publish_date == 31
584 | avg_rating == 5.0
584 | tags_id == 88
584 | tags_name == Alopecia Areata
584 | tags_id == 33
584 | tags_name == Autoimmunity
584 | tags_id == 1032
584 | tags_name == Hair Follicle
584 | tags_id == 1029
584 | tags_name == Hair Loss
584 | tags_id == 95
584 | tags_name == Immune System
584 | tags_id == 885
584 | tags_name == Natural Killer Cells
584 | tags_id == 1095
584 | tags_name == RAET1L Gene
584 | permissions_favorite == False
584 | permissions_rate == False
584 | content_article == <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">RAET1L </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">encodes retinoic acid early transcript 1L. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">RAET1L</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may play a role in alopecia areata by interfering with the binding of NKG2D receptors. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by promoting NK cell activity and preventing autoimmune inflammation.</span></p> <h2><strong><em>RAET1L</em></strong><strong> and Alopecia Areata</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/RAET1L/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">RAET1L</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene (sometimes known as </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ULBP6</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) encodes retinoic acid early transcript 1L. This gene is part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a group of genes that influence the immune response [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/154064"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Major histocompatibility complex genes come in many different forms, and there are millions of their possible combinations. Their diversity ensures the protection against a wide array of external threats, but it can be a double-edged sword: some variants correlate with autoimmune and allergic disorders [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5748415/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647156/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4077410/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">RAET1L</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may affect the immune response through interactions with a type of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">white blood cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> called</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/intro-natural-killer-cells-increase-decrease/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> natural killer (NK) cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. When activated, NK cells target an invading cell&mdash;typically bacteria. Once an NK cell has engaged a target cell, RAET1L can bind to a receptor on its surface called NKG2D. This is the signal for the NK cell to kill its target [</span><a href="https://stke.sciencemag.org/content/10/481/eaai8904"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because of this close and direct relationship to NK cells, researchers have proposed using RAET1L as a drug target to modify the intensity of an immune response [</span><a href="https://stke.sciencemag.org/content/10/481/eaai8904"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In alopecia areata, some research suggests that NK cells may have a protective function. One mouse study found that animals with lower NK cell counts lost more hair and had higher levels of a potentially destructive type of T cell [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20653774/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NK cell activity also tends to be lower in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus [</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658387614001083"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two variants in the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">RAET1L</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene have been associated with alopecia areata. The risk alleles of these variants may decrease the activity of NK cells in hair follicles [</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><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></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">RAET1L</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes a protein that binds to receptors on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells, activating them. Reduced NK cell levels have been associated with autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata.</span></span></p> <h2><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>RAET1L</em></strong><strong> Results for Alopecia Areata</strong></h2> <p>*4918646992817546*</p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/RAET1L/"><strong>RAET1L</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs9479482/"><strong>rs9479482</strong></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 higher rates of alopecia areata</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Possibly protective against alopecia areata</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele may reduce the binding of RAET1L to receptors on NK cells, preventing an autoimmune response in the hair follicles [</span><a href="https://stke.sciencemag.org/content/10/481/eaai8904"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/RAET1L/"><strong>RAET1L</strong></a> <a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs9479478/"><strong>rs9479478</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></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Associated with relatively higher rates of alopecia areata</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Possibly protective against alopecia areata</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele may reduce the binding of RAET1L to receptors on NK cells, preventing an autoimmune response in the hair follicles [</span><a href="https://stke.sciencemag.org/content/10/481/eaai8904"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></li> </ul> <p>*2102618874241085*</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations for Improving Hair Growth</strong></h2> <p>*8540372992784813*</p> <h3><strong>Stress Management</strong></h3> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Psychological stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is strongly believed to interfere with a healthy immune response and promote autoimmunity. Furthermore, cortisol, a hormone released during stress, may inhibit NK cell activity. If you have </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">RAET1L </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">risk alleles, it could be especially important to manage the stress in your life [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18190880/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1809301/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although it has no direct effect on male-pattern baldness, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a well-known trigger of other types of hair loss such as diffuse hair loss (telogen effluvium), patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), and hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania). In turn, hair loss can be a source of stress and ultimately worsen the severity of these conditions [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9676515/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19487557/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29212074/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15117365/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30152568/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16897695/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We&zwnj; &zwnj;recommend&zwnj; &zwnj;addressing&zwnj; &zwnj;sources&zwnj; &zwnj;of&zwnj; &zwnj;stress&zwnj; &zwnj;in&zwnj; &zwnj;your&zwnj; &zwnj;life,&zwnj; &zwnj;either&zwnj; &zwnj;by&zwnj; &zwnj;taking&zwnj; &zwnj;up&zwnj; &zwnj;a&zwnj; &zwnj;stress-busting&zwnj; hobby&zwnj; &zwnj;(such&zwnj; &zwnj;as&zwnj; &zwnj;&zwnj;</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-yoga/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">yoga&zwnj;&zwnj;</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> &zwnj;or&zwnj; &zwnj;&zwnj;</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/meditation/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">meditation&zwnj;</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">)&zwnj; &zwnj;or&zwnj; &zwnj;seeking&zwnj; &zwnj;professional&zwnj; &zwnj;help.&zwnj;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Psychological stress may disrupt the immune response, decrease NK cell activity, and promote hair loss in alopecia areata.</span></p> <h3><strong>Avoid Cigarettes</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Natural killer cell activity is significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7113411/"><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 60k 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;">Smokers tend to have lower NK cell activity and higher risk of developing alopecia areata.</span></p> <h3><strong>Topical Garlic</strong></h3> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/garlic-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Garlic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> extracts may stimulate NK cell activity, according to a study in cancer patients [</span><a href="https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/136/3/816S/4664387"><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 application of garlic extracts may stimulate NK cells and improve alopecia areata.</span></p>
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584 | content_learn_more_2102618874241085_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your RAET1L gene is somewhat associated with abnormal NK cell activity in hair follicles. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of alopecia areata; it’s just one gene related to it. Managing stress, avoiding cigarettes, and applying topical garlic extract may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
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rsIDs = rs9479478,rs9479482
rsStatus = rs9479478,,chr6,150033472,T,C,G,,38,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs9479482,,chr6,150036876,T,C,,,4,25,HET
