New Research Unveils the Crucial Role of Sugars in Psoriasis: A Game-Changer for Treatment
A groundbreaking study has revolutionized our understanding of how sugars, known as glycans, facilitate the movement of immune cells into the skin during the inflammatory disease, psoriasis. The research, published in the journal Science Signaling, highlights a previously unknown mechanism that could pave the way for innovative treatment approaches.
The paper, titled "Leukocytes have a heparan sulfate glycocalyx that regulates recruitment during psoriasis-like skin inflammation," is a collaborative effort led by Dr. Amy Saunders from Lancaster University and Dr. Douglas Dyer from the University of Manchester. Their joint PhD student, Dr. Megan Priestley (now at MIT), is the first author of this groundbreaking work.
The human body's cells, particularly those lining blood vessel walls, are adorned with a protective layer called the glycocalyx. This gel-like layer, composed of complex sugar molecules, serves multiple purposes, including safeguarding blood vessel walls from mechanical and chemical damage. However, recent research has revealed its pivotal role in controlling the movement of immune cells throughout the body.
The study's key finding is that immune cells, equipped with their own cell surface glycocalyx, shed this layer to facilitate their migration from the blood into tissues during inflammatory skin diseases. This discovery challenges the previous belief that only blood vessel walls alter their glycocalyx layer to aid this process. The shedding of the glycocalyx is a critical response to inflammation, as it enables immune cells to move from the blood into tissues, a vital step in combating infections.
This immune cell recruitment process, while beneficial for fighting infections, can also have detrimental effects, such as driving inflammatory diseases like psoriasis, which primarily affects the skin. The research team's excitement stems from the realization of the glycocalyx layer's significance on immune cells, and they hope that this discovery will lay the foundation for future advancements in treating inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Amy Saunders expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "It's truly exciting to uncover the glycocalyx layer's importance on immune cells, and I hope this research will contribute to the development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases."
Dr. Dyer added, "Collaborating on this project to redefine our understanding of immune cell recruitment has been a rewarding experience, and we aim to improve the treatment of inflammatory diseases."
Dr. Priestley, who worked on this project during her PhD, shared her enthusiasm, "This project was incredibly enjoyable, and I hope this research brings more attention to the significance of sugars in the immune system."
The study's implications are far-reaching, as designing drugs to manipulate the movement of immune cells between the blood and tissues could potentially treat both infections and inflammatory diseases. This research may significantly impact the development of drugs targeting immune cell movement into tissues, offering new hope for those affected by psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions.
The research was primarily funded by The Wellcome Trust and Royal Society, with the support of Dr. Max Nobis from the University of Manchester (previously VIB-KU Leuven) and Professor Olga Zubkova from the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.
Source:
Journal reference: Priestley, M. J., et al. (2025). Leukocytes have a heparan sulfate glycocalyx that regulates recruitment during psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Science Signaling. doi.org/10.1126/scisignal.adr0011
