Abstract: Objective: To detect the expression of apoptotic factors Annexin V and to determine the relationship between the expression of apoptotic factors Annexin V and the T lymphocyte infiltration in alopecia areata (AA). Methods: Immunohistochemical double-staining of CD3/CD4/CD8 and Annexin V was used to detect the expression of apoptotic factors Annexin V in the lesions of 22 patients with AA (11 patients at early stage and 11 at advanced stage) and normal scalp of 10 controls. Results: The number of Annexin V-positive cells around vessels and follicular in the superficial layer of the lesions in early stage was significantly higher than that in advanced stage. However, the number in deep layer around follicular of the lesions was significantly lower than that in advanced stage (P <0.05). There was a positive correlation between the number of T lymphocyte and Annexin V positive cells in deep layer and there was no significant correlation in superficial layer. Conclusion: The apoptosis of permanent hair follicle cells in superficial layer was uncorrelated with T lymphocyte infiltration and the T cell infiltration was the main cause of the apoptosis of cyclical hair follicle cells in deep layer.

Key words: alopecia areata, apoptotic factors, T lymphocyte