Final Activity Report Summary - AE-CCL18 (CCL18 - a susceptibility gene for atopic eczema regulated by host-microbe interactions?)
The goal of our project was to explore the possibility that deregulated expression of a new family of genes, microRNAs (miRNAs), plays a role in atopic skin inflammation. The expression or function of microRNAs had not been described in human skin or in atopic eczema before our investigation.
There were several major achievements from this project. First, we demonstrated the deregulated expression of miRNAs in atopic eczema skin in comparison to healthy skin (Sonkoly et al., 2007). Our results demonstrate that lesional skin of atopic eczema patients is characterised by a specific, non-random miRNA expression profile that differs from that of healthy skin or another type of chronic skin inflammation, psoriasis (Sonkoly et al., 2007).
Second, we identified miR-155 as a miRNA that may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of atopic eczema in the future (unpublished data). miR-155 levels are significantly higher in inflamed atopic eczea skin than in healthy skin. miR-155 is expressed by T lymphocytes, cells that play a central role in inflammation. We demonstrated that miR-155 regulates the proliferation of T lymphocytes, therefore it has important role in the regulation of the immune response.
There were several major achievements from this project. First, we demonstrated the deregulated expression of miRNAs in atopic eczema skin in comparison to healthy skin (Sonkoly et al., 2007). Our results demonstrate that lesional skin of atopic eczema patients is characterised by a specific, non-random miRNA expression profile that differs from that of healthy skin or another type of chronic skin inflammation, psoriasis (Sonkoly et al., 2007).
Second, we identified miR-155 as a miRNA that may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of atopic eczema in the future (unpublished data). miR-155 levels are significantly higher in inflamed atopic eczea skin than in healthy skin. miR-155 is expressed by T lymphocytes, cells that play a central role in inflammation. We demonstrated that miR-155 regulates the proliferation of T lymphocytes, therefore it has important role in the regulation of the immune response.