Compromised skin barrier function plays a role in psorasis developmentJanuary 26, 2009Singapore and China scientists report research in journal Nature Genetics Researchers at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and the Anhui Medical University, China, have identified genes that play an important role in the development of psoriasis, a common chronic skin disease. The research, led by GIS Human Genetics Group Leader and Associate Prof. Liu Jianjun, will be published online on 25 Jan. 2009 in the journal Nature Genetics. Studying genetic variants in the human genomes of a large cohort of patients with psorasis and healthy controls in the Chinese population, Dr. Liu and his colleagues, who are one of the three independent teams that have been simultaneously performing genetic studies on psoriasis, found that a genetic variant within what is known as the LCE gene cluster is able to provide protection against the development of psoriasis. One of the LCE genes' functions is to code proteins that are part of cells located in the outermost layers of skin. These proteins are important for maintaining skin's barrier function. "Together with the findings from the other two studies," said Dr Liu, "our finding suggests that compromised skin barrier function play a role in the development of psoriasis. This is a very important find, as it advances our understanding of the genetic basis of psoriasis, which in turn is important for early diagnosis and prediction of an individual's risk to the disease." While Dr Liu's team focused on a Chinese population, the other two studies were conducted on Western populations. Dr Liu added, "Our team's work is also important because it is the first study ever done on a Chinese population - all other studies on psoriasis so far have focused on western populations." All three independent studies will be published by Nature Genetics at the same time. Psoriasis is a common chronic, auto-immune and hyper-proliferative skin disease, usually characterized by red scaly patches on the skin. Affecting about one percent of individuals, it is a recurring condition with varying degrees of severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore |
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| Related Psoriasis Current Events and Psoriasis News Articles Curry-cure? Spicing up the effectiveness of a potential disease-fighter Scientists are reporting development of a nano-size capsule that boosts the body's uptake of curcumin, an ingredient in yellow curry now being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of several diseases. Skin-disease patients show brain immunity to faces of disgust People with psoriasis - an often distressing dermatological condition that causes lesions and red scaly patches on the skin - are less likely to react to looks of disgust by others than people without the condition, new research has found. Gene variation is 'major genetic determinant of psoriasis' A specific genetic region that has been increasingly identified as the strongest genetic link to psoriasis has an even more significant role in the chronic skin disease than has been suspected, University of Utah medical researchers show in a new study. Drug rescues memory lost to Alzheimer's disease A drug similar to one used in clinical trials for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis has been found to rescue memory in mice exhibiting Alzheimer's symptoms. Post-transplant combo can replace toxic immune-suppressing drugs in monkeys Transplant patients rely on drugs to prevent graft rejection, but at the cost of serious side effects. Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality The skin disease psoriasis is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death. Scientists discover new genetic immune disorder in children Your immune system plays an important function in your health-it protects you against viruses, bacteria, and other toxins that can cause disease. Study finds unexpected bacterial diversity on human skin The health of our skin - one of the body's first lines of defense against illness and injury - depends upon the delicate balance between our own cells and the millions of bacteria and other one-celled microbes that live on its surface. Vitamin D may halt lung function decline in asthma and COPD Vitamin D may slow the progressive decline in the ability to breathe that can occur in people with asthma as a result of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) proliferation, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. Home UVB therapy for psoriasis as effective and safe as hospital treatment For patients with psoriasis, treatment with ultraviolet B (UVB) at home is as effective and as safe as conventional hospital based phototherapy, concludes a study published on bmj.com today. More Psoriasis Current Events and Psoriasis News Articles |
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