skin & beauty

IL21

The Role of a Pro-Inflammatory Protein in Alopecia Areata (IL21)

Written by Shany Lahan, MS (Neuroscience) on December 31st, 2020

The IL21 gene codes for a pro-inflammatory protein. Read more to find out how a variant of IL21 may promote the function of this protein and increase the odds of developing alopecia areata.

Summary

IL21 codes for a protein with a wide range of pro-inflammatory and self-targeting functions. A variant of IL21 may play a role in alopecia areata by increasing levels of IL-21. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of this variant by lowering IL-21 production, reducing pro-inflammatory cell activity, and/or promoting the activity of regulatory cells.

IL21 and Alopecia Areata

The IL21 gene codes for interleukin 21 (IL-21), an immune messenger (cytokine) with a wide range of pro-inflammatory and self-targeting (autoimmune) functions [R, R].

For example, IL-21 is involved in the development of inflammatory T cell subsets, such as Th17 cells [R, R, R].

Elevated levels of cytokines released from Th17 cells are often observed in autoimmune disorders, such as alopecia areata (spot baldness). In fact, higher Th17 cytokine levels have been linked to increased alopecia areata severity [R, R].

IL-21 also suppresses regulatory T cells (Tregs) that normally function to prevent autoimmunity, while stimulating cellular pathways in B cells that may promote the release of self-targeting antibodies (autoantibodies) [R].

Variants of IL21 have been associated with alopecia areata. These variants may increase the production of IL-21, leading to the development of pro-inflammatory and autoreactive immune cells [R, R, R, R].

Your IL21 Results for Alopecia Areata

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs7682241
rs6848139
rs7682481

Primary SNPs:

IL21 rs7682241 [R]

‘T’ = Higher odds of alopecia areata
‘G’ = Not associated with alopecia areata

IL21 rs6848139 [R]

‘C’ = Higher odds of alopecia areata
‘A’ = Not associated with alopecia areata

IL21 rs7682481 [R]

‘C’ = Higher odds of alopecia areata
‘G’ = Not associated with alopecia areata

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Light Therapy

In a study of multiple sclerosis patients, UVB light therapy was suggested to boost Tregs, attenuate inflammation, and ameliorate symptoms, in part by lowering levels of IL-21 [R].

UVA light therapy combined with drugs that increase the sensitivity of the skin to this radiation (methoxsalen and psoralen) promoted hair regrowth, without causing major adverse effects, in 5 trials of alopecia areata patients [R, R, R, R, R].

This radiation was also effective when applied through targeted treatments with an excimer laser in 3 trials of people with alopecia areata [R, R, R].

In 2 small trials of people with alopecia areata, LLLT with infrared radiation for 3 minutes every week or every 2 weeks sped up hair regrowth in most patients [R, R].

Light therapy may help manage alopecia areata by lowering IL-21 levels and boosting Tregs.

Aromatherapy

In an animal study, topical lavender oil reduced the severity of psoriasis (another autoimmune disorder), partly by lowering levels of IL-21 [R].

In a trial of people with alopecia areata, massaging the essential oils of lavender, thyme, rosemary, and Atlantic cedar into the scalp improved symptoms in 44% of the patients [R].

Aromatherapy may help manage alopecia areata by lowering levels of IL-21.

Diet

Zinc-Rich Foods

Zinc deficiency has been observed to boost the development and activity of Th17 cells while lowering the function of Tregs, suggesting that sufficient zinc intake may prevent this pro-inflammatory immune shift [R, R].

One study associated patchy (alopecia areata) and diffuse (telogen effluvium) hair loss with low blood zinc levels. The authors suggested that disturbed zinc metabolism plays a key role in these conditions [R].

In line with this, zinc supplementation improved both conditions in 2 small trials of people who also had zinc deficiency. In a trial of women complaining of hair loss, zinc was especially effective when combined with calcium pantothenate [R, R, R].

Good dietary sources of zinc include red meat, seafood, dairy products, nuts, legumes, and whole grains [R].

Zinc-rich foods may help manage alopecia areata by lowering the activity of Th17 cells while simultaneously boosting Treg function.

Supplements

Topical Vitamin D

Researchers studying autoimmune thyroid disorders (Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s disease) found blood vitamin D levels to be low and IL-21 levels to be high in patients with these disorders. In other studies, vitamin D supplementation lowered the production of IL-21 or its receptor (required for mediating IL-21 activity) [R, R, R].

Low blood vitamin D levels have been associated with increased incidence, severity, and duration of alopecia areata in multiple studies [R, R, R, R, R].

In a trial focused on alopecia areata patients, a synthetic derivative of vitamin D (calcipotriol) applied topically for 12 weeks resulted in a minimum of 50% hair regrowth in 75% of patients, and full regrowth in 27% of patients. Both this chemical and UV-B radiation (which stimulates vitamin D production) were similarly effective in another trial [R, R].

Topical vitamin D may help manage alopecia areata by lowering levels of IL-21 or its receptor.

Shany Lahan

MS (Neuroscience)

Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.

Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer’s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing – as well as help them understand the science behind it all.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

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