Psoriasis research has revealed a link between fat metabolism and skin inflammation

A research team led by Erwin Wagner, a specialist at the Department of Dermatology and Laboratory Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, has identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism that contributes to the development of psoriasis and at the same time may become the basis for a new treatment approach. This was reported on December 11 by Medical Xpress magazine.

The work shows that a certain fatty acid binding protein (FABP5) triggers a special form of cell death (ferroptosis) and increases inflammatory processes in the skin. Blocking this protein significantly weakened the skin changes characteristic of psoriasis.

Until now, psoriasis has been considered primarily as a result of excessive activity of the immune system. However, the team of Wagner and Kazuhiko Matsuoka, a specialist at the Center for Cancer Research at the Medical University of Vienna, with the participation of first author Kamil Mechkovsky, showed for the first time that disorders of fat metabolism in skin cells also play an essential role in the occurrence and maintenance of inflammation.

Analysis of skin samples from patients with psoriasis and the corresponding animal model revealed significantly elevated levels of FABP5 and at the same time a reduced content of the protective enzyme GPX4. According to the researchers, such an imbalance triggers an inflammatory cascade through ferroptosis, typical of the clinical picture of psoriasis. At the same time, pharmacological suppression of FABP5 and ferroptosis significantly reduced the severity of skin inflammation.

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"Our results show that psoriasis is caused not only by an abnormal immune system response, but also by changes in the fat metabolism of skin cells," Wagner said.

Matsuoka, in turn, clarified that FABP5 could be used as a biomarker in the future to develop new targeted therapies. This is especially important for patients who do not respond well to existing immunomodulatory treatments.

In addition, scientists note that FABP5 may play a role not only in psoriasis, but also in other inflammatory diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. Since psoriasis is often combined with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, the findings indicate possible common mechanisms of these conditions. However, further research is needed to confirm and deepen these findings.

On October 11, Bioniq doctor Daria Dibrova spoke about the causes and treatment methods of psoriasis. The disease is caused by a genetic predisposition and is stimulated by external environmental factors, including cold, low temperatures, psychoemotional stress, nervous overexertion, smoking, alcohol, excess weight, skin damage.

The specialist clarified that local hormonal drugs are used for mild forms of psoriasis, sometimes in combination with salicylic acid. According to her, sometimes phototherapy can be prescribed to enhance the effect. Dibrova clarified that in severe cases, doctors can recommend systemic centrally acting drugs.

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