Gene expression of osteopontin in alopecia areata? A case-controlled study.

Purpose Of The Study: To study the expression of osteopontin (OPN) in alopecia areata (AA) lesions in a trial to clarify its possible role in the pathogenesis of such a disease.

Procedures: Tissue level of OPN was measured in 28 AA patients as well as 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls using both real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry.

Results: The tissue level of OPN by real-time PCR (4.