Researchers Agree to Pursue HLA-cw6 Gene
First published in the May/June 2002 National Psoriasis Foundation Bulletin
An international team of researchers brought together by the National Psoriasis Foundation has focused on a new suspect in the hunt for genes for psoriasis: HLA-cw6. This was based on strong evidence that HLA-cw6 may be involved in psoriasis, presented at the International Psoriasis Genetics Committee (IPGC) meeting April 26-28 in Nice, France.
The IPGC meeting brought together more than 40 genetic, immunology and dermatology researchers from more than 10 countries to share their latest findings and discuss strategies for cracking the genetic code for psoriasis.
According to research presented by several groups at the meeting, approximately 60 percent of people with psoriasis have an unknown mutation of the HLA-cw6 gene. Significant efforts, as well as significant funding, will now be required to identify the precise gene involved in psoriasis. Because not all people with psoriasis have HLA-cw6, researchers suspect other genes are involved and also have been working to describe their roles.
"The National Psoriasis Foundation is exploring the possibility of funding and facilitating a consortium project to fully and finally elucidate the identity of the gene on chromosome 6," said Gail M. Zimmerman, Foundation president and CEO.
Positive identification of genes for psoriasis will lead to astounding advances in the fight against the disease. Although psoriasis is thought to be caused by multiple genes, the conclusive discovery of one or several genes involved in the disease could lead to powerful new treatments.
"Researchers are already considering the possibility of developing gene therapy strategies to treat psoriasis," says Angela Christiano, Ph.D., an associate professor of dermatology and genetics and development at Columbia University in New York.
Dr. Christiano, a leading researcher in the area of gene therapy and skin disease, explains that once researchers understand how psoriasis develops on the molecular level and the role of different genes, they will be able to carefully select the mutant genes to be replaced with healthy ones. Ultimately, the method of gene therapy, the frequency of use and its safety will decide whether gene therapy is a suitable treatment.
"Before that evaluation can take place, we must understand how the disease develops at the genetic level," she said.
| 
