Review—Current Concepts in Inflammatory Skin Diseases Evolved by Transcriptome Analysis: In-Depth Analysis of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis

Abstract

During the last decades, high-throughput assessment of gene expression in patient tissues using microarray technology or RNA-Seq took center stage in clinical research. Insights into the diversity and frequency of transcripts in healthy and diseased conditions provide valuable information on the cellular status in the respective tissues. Growing with the technique, the bioinformatic analysis toolkit reveals biologically relevant pathways which assist in understanding basic pathophysiological mechanisms. Conventional classification systems of inflammatory skin diseases rely on descriptive assessments by pathologists. In contrast to this, molecular profiling may uncover previously unknown disease classifying features. Thereby, treatments and prognostics of patients may be improved. Furthermore, disease models in basic research in comparison to the human disease can be directly validated. The aim of this article is not only to provide the reader with information on the opportunities of these techniques, but to outline potential pitfalls and technical limitations as well. Major published findings are briefly discussed to provide a broad overview on the current findings in transcriptomics in inflammatory skin diseases.

MicroRNAs in Several Cutaneous Autoimmune Diseases: Psoriasis, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus and Atopic Dermatitis

“…Skin lesion transcriptome studies in different autoimmune skin diseases have described unique expression signatures for specific diseases but have also established a common cross-disease gene set among inflammatory skin diseases [ 87 ]. The comparative transcriptomic analyses of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis conducted by Choy D.F et al revealed a shared neutrophil-attracting profile, which may be due to the underlying commonalities in IL-17 signalling [ 88 ].…”

RNA sequencing analysis of FGF2-responsive transcriptome in skin fibroblasts

“…Compared to microarrays, RNA-Seq technology shows higher sensitivity and increased quantitative accuracy and therefore detects even low abundance transcripts. Additionally, the RNA-Seq expands in terms of non-coding RNA detection ( Schwingen, Kaplan & Kurschus, 2020 ). Here, we performed RNA-seq analysis for the dissection of the molecular profiles of FGF2-treated fibroblasts.…”

Solidagenone from Solidago chilensis Meyen inhibits skin inflammation in experimental models

“…Skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and even cancer can trigger inflammatory mechanisms and may become chronic if left untreated 1 . Involving various cellular types such as nerve endings, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, mast cells, endothelial cells, macrophages and inflammatory cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and lymphocytes), these dysfunctions represent a complex mobilization of defence systems, which release chemical mediators responsible for inflammation 1,2 . For example, histamine releases from mast cells and basophils increases blood supply, evoking hyperaemia that promotes vascular permeability and attracts inflammatory cells to the lesion site.…”