Researchers in Spain and the US have made progress on developing possible treatments for psoriasis, a long-term skin condition.
Psoriasis is common and chronic, with currently no cure, and results in itchy, scaly patches of skin. It is caused by the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue.
In research, led by the University of Barcelona, scientists tested a compound – MRS7787 – for treating mice with psoriasis. The compound, when activated by a blue light (commonly emitted from the screens of devices such as smartphones and laptops) was then able to regulate the immune system and heal the skin.
The light-controlled element allows MRS778 to be reversibly switched on or off (so-called photopharmacology), which allows for more precise targeting of drugs to specific parts of the body and minimises the damage to the surrounding tissues.
In a separate study, researchers at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA, found that the protein (C-Rel) – could worsen symptoms of psoriasis, particularly inflammation.
The inflammation is triggered when C-Rel responds to signals through a protein (TLR7) – involved in the first response of the body’s immune system.
In skin samples from both psoriasis patients and mice with similar skin changes, the team saw higher c-Rel levels, while mice lacking the protein were protected against the condition.
Lead author Parameswaran Ramakrishnan said: “We believe that by focusing on C-Rel and TLR7, scientists might be able to create more targeted treatments that reduce inflammation and help psoriasis symptoms.”