Language: English
This service contains links to third party websites. EPG Patient Direct is not in a position to verify this information and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the content contained.
21 Aug 2008
The source of psoriasis could be a single set of cells which act as instigators by priming the body's immune system for "self-attack", according to a new study.
Scientists at Rockefeller University in New York, USA, have found that psoriasis lesions are characterised by a distinct combination of dendritic cells, which are immune cells that form part of the human immune system.
"Not only do they have the dendritic cells found in normal skin, but they also have an overabundance of a new variety of 'inflammatory dendritic cells' that produce immune-stimulating proteins called cytokines," the academic institution notes.
The researchers suggest that their findings could provide avenues of exploration for drug designers and could even have the potential to prevent psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases, as well as in therapies to boost immunity to other conditions.
Psoriasis can occur at any point in a person's life and affects males and females equally, the Psoriasis Association notes.
Click here to visit the Psoriasis Quick Guide
Delicious
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
