Psoriasis
As a foremost research service provider in the area of iron metabolism and its diseases, Protheragen provides comprehensive, one-stop solutions from diagnostics and therapeutics to disease modeling and preclinical studies. We enable global researchers and scientists to enhance their work in relation to iron metabolism disorders. We also specialize in the complex connections of psoriasis and iron dysregulation, for which we offer an integrated portfolio of drug development services.
Overview of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a persistent skin condition marked by repeating episodes of raised red regions of skin which has silvery scales covering them, and defines a sharp line of normal skin and patches of skin that are afflicted. Psoriasis is non-contagious. It is due to a skin process inflammation due to skin inflammation caused by excess immune activity. Emotional stress, infections, skin injuries, some medications, and fluctuations in temperature can all trigger or exacerbate psoriasis.
Fig.1 Comparing psoriatic human and mouse skin. (Gangwar, R. S., et al., 2022)
Iron Metabolism Abnormalities in Psoriasis
Psoriasis has a close relationship with ferroptosis, a form of cell death dependent on iron. The lesions that psoriasis individuals develop show active lipid peroxidation and a shift in lipid metabolism in the keratinocyte cells, which correlates with the activation of the Th22/Th17 axis. Ferroptosis negatively fuels inflammation and alters the function and survival of the Th17 cells, influences the activation of dendritic cells, and alters the stability of regulatory T cells, thereby tipping the immune homeostasis. In addition, the dysregulated expression of some proteins, such as GPX4, and the release of certain DAMPs as a result of ferroptosis increase the inflammatory reaction in the skin with psoriatic lesions, which shows the multifactorial interaction of psoriasis and inflammation.
Fig.2 The role of ferroptosis in psoriasis. (Le, J., et al., 2024)
Therapeutics Development for Psoriasis
| Drug Name | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
| Red Clover Extracts (RCE) | Suppressing ferroptosis by modulating cellular iron metabolism. | Ferroptosis | Preclinical |
| Ferrostatin-1 | An effective inhibitor of ferroptosis in psoriasiform dermatitis in imiquimod-induced models. | Ferroptosis | Preclinical |
| Curcumin-Based Ionic Liquid Hydrogel | Down-regulation of ferroptosis-associated proteins SLC7A11 and ASL4. | Ferroptosis | Preclinical |
| Shikonin (SHK) | Reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and iron accumulation to ameliorate ferroptosis in psoriatic skin. | Ferroptosis | Preclinical |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a therapy plan recommendation. For guidance on therapy options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Drawing from our vast knowledge of iron metabolism, we provide full-service solutions to expedite your psoriasis drug development processes. Our services range from identifying and validating new biomarkers of iron metabolism for diagnostics to aiding in therapeutic discovery and optimization, crafting accurate in vitro and in vivo psoriasis models replicating human psoriasis, and providing preclinical services, including comprehensive pharmacokinetic and drug safety evaluation to assess the safety and efficacy of your drug candidates.
Therapeutic Development Services
Animal Model Development Services for Psoriasis
Developing animal models is important for understanding and analyzing the mechanisms of a disease. We offer custom and robust animal models development services that closely recapitulate the key pathological features of human psoriasis, which helps in preclinical drug testing and target verification.
| Genetically Engineered Model | |
| These models are genetically engineered with specific genetic alterations that cause them to develop psoriasis-like symptoms. | |
| Optional models | Keratinocyte-specific overexpressing model (IL-23, IL-17A, etc.), Card14 mutant model, Ncf1 mutant model, etc. |
| Chemical-induced Model | |
| Imiquimod is a TLR7 agonist, and the Imiquimod-induced model is a well-accepted and highly translational model of many features of human psoriasis. | |
| Optional models | Imiquimod-induced model, etc. |
| Xenotransplantation Model | |
| This method takes lesional plaque skin and transplants it onto severely immunodeficient mice. | |
| Optional models | Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, etc. |
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Get in touch with us today to discuss how our integrated services can support your next breakthrough if you are set to go deeper into the understanding of iron metabolism in the advancement of psoriasis research.
References
- Le, Jiayuan et al. "Molecular and therapeutic landscape of ferroptosis in skin diseases." Chinese medical journal 137.15 (2024): 1777-1789.
- Gangwar, Roopesh Singh et al. "Mouse Models of Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Review." The Journal of investigative dermatology 142.3 Pt B (2022): 884-897.