Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes flaky skin patches which form scales. The condition’s symptoms include dry skin lesions called plaques, which can appear anywhere on one’s body, including the knees, elbows, lower back and scalp. While the condition’s primary cause remains unknown, researchers believe that it may be caused by cells that fight infection mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells.
New research carried out by North Carolina State University scientists has found that linoleic acid may increase sensitivity to pain and temperature in psoriasis plaques. Linoleic acid is a common fatty acid found in the Western diet. The researchers believe that this discovery may help to better understand how sensory neurons communicate with lipids and help improve sensitivity and pain treatments for patients with psoriasis.
The study’s corresponding author, associate professor Santosh K. Mishra of Neuroscience, stated that the group observed high levels of a pair of lipid types derived from linoleic acid in psoriatic plaques. This, he continued, led the researchers to wonder if lipids affected how sensory neurons in the plaques communicated.
The researchers’ objective was to look into whether the presence of lipids was associated with pain or temperature hypersensitivity, which is common in psoriasis patients. For their study, the investigators created lipid profiles of skin from psoriatic plaques using mass spectrometry.
They centered on two types of lipids derived from linoleic acid: 9,10,13-trihydroxy-octadecenoate (9,10,13-THL) and 13-hydroxy-9,10-epoxy octadecenoate (9,13-EHL).
The investigators discovered that while both lipids bound to receptors on sensory neurons in the skin, 9,10,13-THL had an effect that lasted longer in comparison to 9,13-EHL, because it was more stable. The researchers also found that the lipids activated the neurons that expressed TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors, after they bound themselves to the neuronal receptor. These particular receptors are involved in pain and temperature hypersensitivity.
In his report, Mishra explained that while the lipids created hypersensitivity, they didn’t contribute to itching.
Now that a link between hypersensitivity to pain and temperature and linoleic acid has been established, the investigators are focused on exploring how this response is created. They hope that their findings will be useful in the development of solutions to relieve these symptoms in patients with psoriasis.
The study was published in “JID Innovations.” Other researchers involved include Christopher E. Ramsden, John M. Davis, Kristen M. Maiden, Gregory S. Keyes, Jennifer R. Jensen, Anthony F. Domenicheillo and Joshua J. Wheeler, the study’s first author. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging.
Many other teams, such as the research team at BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV), are also engaged in searching for effective remedies against autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis. Patients can therefore have hope that helpful formulations could soon become available once these efforts yield positive results.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/BVXV
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