Investigation of molecular mechanisms in autoimmune pathogenesis of psoriasis - Seeking for novel therapeutic opportunity –

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Akiko Arakawa, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Dermatology ; Clinical Immunology and Allergology ; Pathology ; Rheumatology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 542655226

Psoriasis, a common skin disease, causes remarkable burden to patients and society beyond its physical manifestations by affecting quality of life and leading to loss of work productivity. There is an urgent need to explore the underlying mechanisms in order to develop innovative treatments that could potentially prevent or even cure psoriasis. This project builds on an emerging model that highlights the critical roles of CD8+ T-cell autoimmunity in psoriasis. Though UVB therapy has long been used for psoriasis, its mechanisms remain unclear. In this project, I aim to elucidate therapeutic mechanisms of UVB therapy at the molecular and cellular levels, focuing on autoantigen processing/presentation pathways and checkpoint molecules along autoimmune CD8+ T-cell activation. The insights are expected to offer a rationale for novel preventive or curable treatments for psoriasis. Additionally, this project will establish a new concept of HLA-C mediated immunity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants