Hair follicle and sebaceous gland skin diseases such as acne vulgaris, alopecia areata, rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa, seborrheic dermatitis, sebaceous hyperplasia, and folliculitis are a kind of important skin disease. The immune microenvironment plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of disorders related to the pilosebaceous unit. It is increasingly recognized that a complex interplay of hair follicle and sebaceous gland cells, immune cells, and cytokines within this microenvironment can influence the development and progression of conditions such as acne vulgaris, alopecia areata, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Current research is uncovering the intricate dynamics between resident and infiltrating immune cells, as well as the impact of the microbiome on immune responses in the skin, hair follicle, and sebaceous glands. Studies are also exploring the therapeutic potential of modulating the immune microenvironment to treat these conditions more effectively. Advances in understanding the crosstalk between immune cells and pilosebaceous units are providing novel insights and may pave the way for targeted therapies that could revolutionize the management of hair and sebaceous gland-related diseases.

The goal of this research topic is to improve the understanding of the pivotal role of hair follicle and sebaceous gland cells and immune microenvironment and related signaling pathways that are involved in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of the disease related to the pilosebaceous unit, characterizing the composition of the skin immune microenvironment, and evaluating the immune cell infiltration, cytokine and signaling pathway function, hair follicle and sebaceous gland cellular crosstalk, and microbial interactions.

Narrative and systematic review articles will also be considered. There are different research gaps, including but not limited to:
1. The role of hair follicle sebaceous cells in crosstalk with immune cells in diseases.
2. Immune cell functions and signaling pathways in diseases.
3. The efficacy and safety of novel therapies or drugs targeting hair follicles and sebaceous glands at the level of the immune microenvironment.
4. Hair follicle sebaceous microbiota characteristics in relation to immunity.

PLEASE NOTE: Manuscripts without an investigation on immune cells and mediators or describing the pharmacological action of drugs used in traditional medicine in models of disease, such as inflammatory disease, are not in scope unless they have a strong focus on the immune system.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Immune Microenvironment in hair follicle and sebaceous glands skin diseases: novel findings and future directions