National Psoriasis Foundation awards $200,000 in seed funding for cutting-edge psoriasis research
Innovative studies examine immunological, epidemiological and molecular aspects of the disease
PORTLAND, Ore. (April 1, 2008)—Scientists at the forefront of psoriasis research soon have a better understanding of the disease thanks to four $50,000 "seed" grants announced today by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Seed funding from the Psoriasis Foundation will give a head start to projects with high potential to advance therapies or a cure for psoriasis, a noncontagious, genetic autoimmune disease that affects as many as 7.5 million Americans.
"Finding a cure for psoriasis is a top priority of the National Psoriasis Foundation," says Lawrence J. Green, M.D., chair of the research committee of the Psoriasis Foundation board of directors. "Dedicated Foundation donors make it possible for us to promote cutting-edge research that attacks the problem from many angles."
Psoriasis occurs when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that can crack and bleed. The funded projects will examine immunological, epidemiological and molecular aspects of the disease.
Grant recipients and their research
 | T cells serve a key function in the immune system by attacking bacteria, viruses or other pathogens that invade the body. Dr. Bruce T. Allen, assistant professor at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, has identified certain T cells that appear in increased numbers in areas of patients' skin affected by psoriasis. Dr. Allen's project will focus on T helper 17 (Th17) cells and their ability to secrete the protein Interleukin-17 (IL-17). The IL-17 protein is responsible for regulating many immune functions, including allergic reactions. New knowledge of how T cells work has the potential to advance understanding not only of psoriasis, but other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. |
| Hyon K. Choi, associate professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia, is studying the link between obesity, alcohol intake, smoking and psoriasis. Dr. Choi and his team will analyze more than 100,000 women with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, using questionnaires and medical record review to determine lifestyle risk factors that may contribute to the development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This study will be the largest of its type. It will lay the groundwork for additional research into the other possible lifestyle and genetic risk factors for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in the general population; and the impact that psoriasis has on cardiovascular and metabolic health. |
| Using new scientific technologies, Carl K. Edwards III of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center will attempt to explain the role played by a particular protein in skin inflammation. Known as FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52), this protein is expressed by T cells in the presence of chronic plaque psoriasis (CPPs). It appears to have a function in the early stages of development of this kind of psoriasis. |
| Enikö Sonkoly and Andor Pivarcsi of Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, will study how microRNAs—a class of small RNA molecules that help regulate how genes behave—contribute to psoriasis. This study focuses on miR-203, a microRNA that triggers the skin cells to express genes and proteins at an increased rate in people with psoriasis. Drs. Sonkoly and Pivarsci will explore the function and the action of miR-203 in psoriasis and healthy skin. Results of this study will contribute to knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that cause the skin cells to malfunction, resulting in psoriasis. |
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About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, genetic disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that can crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ten percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory disease which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. Psoriasis can affect anyone at any age, including children. There is no cure yet for this lifelong disease.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading patient-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for millions of Americans with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, and their families. We focus on education, advocacy and research toward better treatments and a cure. For more information, please call the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or visit www.psoriasis.org.
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