Psoriasis is characterized by excessive proliferation of epidermal cells and local inflammation, manifesting as red plaques covered with scales. Although treatments exist to improve the daily lives of patients, the disease remains incurable to date.
A French study published in the journal Nature Communicationsreveals an accumulation of iron in the skin of patients suffering from psoriasis. But also that hepcidin, a hormone regulating iron in the body, was particularly expressed in the skin of patients suffering from severe forms of the disease.
As explained by Carole Peyssonnaux, who leads the team: Iron and Immunity from the Cochin Institute and research director at Inserm, “ Hepcidin produced by the epidermis plays a crucial role in iron retention in skin cells. Since iron is an essential metal for cell proliferation, this retention promotes cell division and contributes to the recruitment of neutrophils,” two characteristics of psoriatic lesions.
Treat other diseases?
The scientists then developed mouse models (animal testing models) to study the role of hepcidin more precisely. The results showed that activating the hepcidin gene induced features of psoriasis, while inactivating it made them disappear.
With these results, the team is now working on developing new drugs that can neutralize hepcidin. These treatments could be used as maintenance treatment after a flare-up or to prevent the disease from recurring during remission phases.
Please note : The researchers hope to apply this discovery to other inflammatory skin diseases. Further studies are underway to explore these possibilities.
