Genetic Study of Psoriasis Unveils Strong Association with Socio-Economic Status and Affective Symptoms

The researchers identified six new psoriasis risk loci with genetic correlations, providing evidence for links between psoriasis and factors such as mood symptoms, obesity, smoking, and a lower education level.

Psoriasis, a common autoimmune disorder characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin, affects millions of people worldwide. While its genetic basis has long been recognized, the interplay between genetic predisposition, socio-economic factors, and psychological symptoms has remained less understood.

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have detected several risk loci for psoriasis. To further improve the understanding of the genetic risk factors impacting the disease, Anni Heikkilä, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland, and colleagues conducted a discovery of GWAS in FinnGen and a subsequent replication and meta-analysis with data from the Estonian Biobank and the UK Biobank.

The study sample included 925 649 individuals (22 659 cases and 902 990 controls), the largest sample for psoriasis yet. In addition, the research team conducted downstream analyses to determine more about psoriasis’ cross-trait genetic correlations and causal relationships.

The researchers reported the following findings:

• The team reported six risk loci to their knowledge previously unreported, most of which harbor genes related to nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells-signaling pathway and overall immunity.
• Genetic correlations highlight the relationship between psoriasis and smoking, higher body weight, and lower education levels.
• The researchers also reported causal relationships between psoriasis and mood symptoms, and the two-directional causal relationship between psoriasis and lower education levels.

To conclude, the researchers found six psoriasis risk loci to our knowledge previously unreported, and, overall, the present genome-wide analyses stressed the role of immune-regulating genes in psoriasis pathogenesis. The results of the genetic correlations provided genetic evidence for the close link between psoriasis and socio-economic status.

"With Mendelian randomization, we found evidence of causal relationships between obesity and psoriasis, complex causal relationships between psoriasis and low education level, and psoriasis and mood symptoms. Our findings deepen the understanding of psoriasis and may be useful in treatment development," the researchers wrote.

By unraveling these complex interactions, researchers pave the way for more personalized and holistic approaches to psoriasis care that address the diverse needs of affected individuals.

Reference:

Heikkilä A, Sliz E, Huilaja L; FinnGen; Estonian Biobank Research Team; Reis K, Palta P, Elnahas AG, Reigo A, Esko T, Laisk T, Teder-Laving M, Tasanen K, Kettunen J. GENETIC STUDY OF PSORIASIS HIGHLIGHTS ITS CLOSE LINK WITH SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS. J Invest Dermatol. 2024 May 17:S0022-202X(24)00358-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.03.043. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38763176.