Logo image
The expression pattern of genes related to melanogenesis and endogenous opioids in psoriasis
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The expression pattern of genes related to melanogenesis and endogenous opioids in psoriasis

U. Loite, L. Raam, E. Reimann, P. Reemann, E. Prans, T. Traks, E. Vasar, H. Silm, K. Kingo and S. Kõks
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol.22(23), Art. 13056
2021
pdf
Psoriasis.pdfDownloadView
Published (Version of Record) Open Access
url
Free to Read *No subscription requiredView

Abstract

The melanocortin system is a major regulator of stress responses in the skin and is responsible for the induction of melanin synthesis through activation of melanogenesis enzymes. The expression of both melanocortin system genes and melanogenesis enzyme genes is altered in psoriasis, and the focus here was on twelve genes related to the signal transduction between them. Additionally, five endogenous opioid system genes that are involved in cutaneous inflammation were examined. Quantitative real-time-PCR was utilized to measure mRNA expression in punch biopsies from lesional and non-lesional skin of psoriasis patients and from the skin of healthy control subjects. Most of the genes related to melanogenesis were down-regulated in patients (CREB1, MITF, LEF1, USF1, MAPK14, ICAM1, PIK3CB, RPS6KB1, KIT, and ATRN). Conversely, an up-regulation occurred in the case of opioids (PENK, PDYN, and PNOC). The suppression of genes related to melanogenesis is in agreement with the reported reduction in pigmentation signaling in psoriatic skin and potentially results from the pro-inflammatory environment. The increase in endogenous opioids can be associated with their involvement in inflammatory dysregulation in psoriasis.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

Metrics

50 File views/ downloads
60 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.158 Dermatology - General
1.158.918 Melanogenesis Mechanisms
Web Of Science research areas
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas
Chemistry
Logo image