PONE-D-21-16743

Effect of polymorphisms on PTPN22, FAS/FASL, IL2RA and CTLA4 genes on the risk of developing alopecia areata. Systematic review of literature and meta-analysis

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Gutierrez-Castañeda,

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After a carefull consideration of the Reviewers' comments, I suggest to revise the manuscript according to Reviewer1 suggestions. Moreover, it is mandatory to pay close attention to English and grammar.

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Cinzia Ciccacci

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Authors have investigated the polymorphisms of the candidate genes in susceptibility to alopecia areata in a meta-analysis study. They have indicated that rs2476601 variation in the PTPN22 gene is a risk factor for the development of alopecia areata. The authors did a nice job to summarize the previous studies regarding the influence of genetic alteration in susceptibility to alopecia areata. I have only some minor comments:

- Although the discussion part is categorized to explain all the variations in several populations with different ethnicity, this part needs to be improved by making a short conclusion at the end of each section. Only explaining the results of the previous studies is not enough for a systematic review of the literature. In the present form, the authors mostly stated the results which some of which are significant in the specific populations. However, at the end of the study, they conclude that only a variation in the PTPN22 gene is associated with the disease.

- The authors stated in the title of the study "Effect of polymorphisms on PTPN22, FAS/FASL, IL2RA and CTLA4 genes on the risk of developing alopecia areata". Are the authors are evaluating the influence of the polymorphisms on the genes (it seems that there is no data available reporting gene alteration) or the disease development. If the second is correct (which it seems that this is the case), the title needs to be revised.

- The English language needs to seriously be improved.

Reviewer #2: the manuscript generally good, I did not find dual publication. I detected that the research ethics are provided in the manuscript. the manuscript need English and good grammar editing, it should revised by native English speaker.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: for plos one.docx

Effect of PTPN22, FAS/FASL, IL2RA and CTLA4 genetic polymorphisms on the risk of developing alopecia areata: A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.

PONE-D-21-16743R1

Dear Dr. Gutierrez-Castañeda,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Cinzia Ciccacci

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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