Alopecia Areata (AA) is a prevalent autoimmune disease that results in nonscarring hair loss. Disease is associated with the collapse of an immune privileged state of the hair follicle, characterized by increased MHC expression, immune cell infiltration and the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the microenvironment. CD8 T cells have been identified as the main contributors to disease, and the only FDA-approved drugs for AA consist of JAK inhibitors, which are thought to act by dampening inflammatory mediators during disease. However, the potential of adverse effects and refractory patients necessitates the development of alternative therapeutics. Thus, a main goal of the Jabbari lab is to investigate mechanisms of disease which could be targeted for novel therapeutic strategies during AA.

CD4+ Tregs are critical immune cells which act to restrain aberrant immunological responses, especially those towards self-tissue in the case of autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, Tregs are also thought to be key players in the continuation of the hair cycle. Together, this suggests that the dysfunction of Tregs may be a contributor during the autoimmune attack of the hair follicle. By utilizing the C3H/HeJ murine model of AA, I am working to characterize how Treg gene signature, phenotype, function, and stability may change in the context of disease. My preliminary findings have revealed that expansion of Tregs relative to CD8 effector T Cells is inadequate to prevent disease. Thus, I am also employing various pharmacologic strategies to expand/enhance Tregs in vivo in order to use them as a protective tool.

The main goals of my research are to identify how Treg dysfunction may be contributing to the collapse of immune privilege in AA and how to leverage Tregs as a therapeutic agent during disease.

Publications

Lensing, M. and A. Jabbari (2022). "An overview of JAK/STAT pathways and JAK inhibition in alopecia areata." Frontiers in Immunology Vol 13. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.955035

Honors & Awards

Immunology T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Grant (2024-2025)
Immunology T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Grant (2023-2024)
3-Minute Thesis Finalist (2023)
Outstanding Student Researcher - UI Dare to Discover Campaign (2023)
AAI Young Investigator Award - Autumn Immunology Conference (2022)
AAI Young Investigator Award - Autumn Immunology Conference (2021)