Gyeonggi-do Regional Cooperation Research Center Develops Treatment for Intractable Skin Disease 'Geonseon'

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] A study has found that inhibiting the activity of the Anoctamin 1 (ANO1) protein is effective in treating the intractable skin disease 'psoriasis.'

The Gyeonggi Regional Research Center (GRRC) announced on the 4th that it clarified this fact through joint research with Professor Yang Young-deok's team at CHA University. Psoriasis is an intractable disease characterized by increased keratinization of the skin epidermis and inflammation, caused by abnormalities in the body's immune function.

The Gyeonggi Regional Research Center is an industry-academic cooperation model established by Gyeonggi Province to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lacking research and development infrastructure by connecting local universities, research institutes, and SMEs to support technology development activities. The province is providing a total of 5.27 billion KRW in support this year.

The research team confirmed that effectively inhibiting the activity of the Anoctamin 1 ion channel, one of the ion channels present in vivo, results in a reduction of major symptoms of psoriasis such as rash, erythema, and scales (white keratin), as well as a decrease in inflammation-inducing substances that cause psoriasis.

Accordingly, they plan to expand the scope of research to develop new Anoctamin 1 inhibitors for the treatment of intractable diseases such as psoriasis and cancer.

Anoctamin 1 is a membrane protein that acts as a channel allowing chloride ions to move in and out of cells.

Professor Yang Young-deok said, "Psoriasis is a difficult-to-treat intractable skin disease with unknown causes and frequent relapses," adding, "This research case could serve as a new breakthrough in developing treatments for psoriasis."

The research results were published in the July issue of the international academic journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.