Could a hormone hold the key to psoriasis treatment?

A study conducted by Professor Charareh Pourzand from the University of Bath has shed new light on the possible role of a hormone called hepcidin in triggering psoriasis.

Working with researchers from the UK, France and Switzerland, Professor Pourzand has discovered unusually high levels of hepcidin in psoriatic skin. Hepcidin is a hormone that regulates iron in the body and is typically produced in the liver, not the skin.

But in this study, researchers found elevated levels of hepcidin in the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and in keratinocytes, the cells responsible for forming the skin barrier. In psoriatic skin, these cells appear to retain hepcidin, which may cause them to multiply rapidly, leading to the formation of inflamed lesions.

Professor Pourzand suggests that hepcidin could be a promising target for future treatments. Developing a drug that controls hepcidin levels in the skin might help manage flare-ups and keep patients in remission for longer.

It’s important to note that this study was conducted in mice, so the findings are still in the early stages. More research is needed in people with psoriasis to confirm the results. Developing a new treatment takes time and significant investment, so while the discovery is promising, any potential drug would still be years away.

To learn more, watch our Q&A video with Professor Pourzand below and read the full research paper published in Nature Communications.