Investigating the role of platelets in psoriasis in the context of systemic metabolic inflammation (C09*)

• Subject Area: Dermatology ; Gastroenterology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 246807620

Platelets have shown to play a role beyond hemostasis, in form of an inflammatory function, in both psoriasis as well as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a comorbidity of psoriasis. We will investigate local (skin, liver) and systemic inflammation in form of platelet-phenotype in murine psoriasis models under diets shifting the metabolic profile towards metabolic syndrome. Additionally, we will examine platelets as a therapeutic target in psoriasis using platelet-specific inhibitors in murine psoriasis models with and without the metabolic comorbidity of NAFLD. To corroborate our preclinical findings, platelets of a prospective psoriasis patient cohort stratified by comorbidities will be evaluated with a multi-omic approach (including platelet transcriptome-, proteome- and CyTEK-analysis). Herewith we aim to decipher a disease- and potentially comorbidity-specific platelet-phenotype.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 156: The skin as sensor and effector orchestrating local and systemic immunity
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Mathias Heikenwälder