The AhR pathway is dysregulated in alopecia areata

< 0.05). ROC analysis showed that AhR levels in CD8 cells could differentiate mild AA from healthy controls with a sensitivity of 82.35 % and specificity of 86.84 %, suggesting potential diagnostic utility. Lower AhR levels were associated with increased IFN-γ+ lymphocytes and decreased IL-17+ immune cells. Interestingly, immune profiles differed between atopic and non-atopic patients: in severe AA, higher AhR expression was linked to increased sPD-1 concentrations, whereas in limited AA, AhR failed to upregulate any investigated ICP. These findings highlight the significant downregulation of the AhR pathway in AA and suggest its potential as a therapeutic target. Future research should explore the development of AhR agonists or antagonists to modulate immune responses in AA.