Function of novel lipids in skin disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Defining the biological functions of novel lipids in healthy and wounded skin
IRAS ID
178597
Contact name
Vincent Piguet
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Healthy skin forms a barrier that is essential for preventing infection and loss of water from our bodies. Loss of this barrier occurs during common skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema, and allows infection during chronic wounds. Lipids (fats) are required to maintain the barrier, but little is known regarding how they do this, with the role of skin lipids in disease a major under-researched area.
In Cardiff and Vanderbilt, we discovered several families of lipids that are generated by skin or by blood cells that migrate to the skin during response to injury, or in skin disease. Our preliminary data suggests that several of these may be important in maintaining the health of skin and preventing disease. They are made by a family of proteins (enzymes) called lipoxygenases (LOXs) and include two types of lipids, called phospholipids and ceramides. In this study we will use a number of approaches to determine the roles of the lipids in regulating skin biology.
The primary objective of this study is to determine how lipids discovered by the Cardiff and Vanderbilt groups regulate skin biology. First we must examine the prevalence of these lipids in samples of healthy skin, and in epidermal samples from patients with common skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema, with a view to identifying new lipids that regulate skin health and disease. These studies will determine how lipids regulate skin biology, and may lead to design of new therapies for inflammatory skin diseases and wounds.REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
15/WA/0285
Date of REC Opinion
6 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion