Irish scientists discover new psoriasis link

[Fred]

Here's some more good news for people with psoriasis. Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered the molecules that convert Interleukin-36 from its harmless form to its destructive one.

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Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made an important breakthrough in understanding how an ‘immune SOS signal’, the protein Interleukin-36, serves an important role in switching on the immune system. The discovery may pave the way for the development of new therapies for treating psoriasis.

Interleukin-36 functions akin to an intruder alarm in the body, especially in the skin, switching on when injury and infection damages our tissues, and mobilizing all of the forces of the immune system to repair the damage. This process is called inflammation and causes the swelling and redness that we are all familiar with when we sprain our ankles or bump our heads.

Inflammation is generally a good thing as it is how the body heals wounds and shuts down infection. The problem is that some people, those with psoriasis, for example, switch on this alarm protein too readily and experience skin inflammation almost continuously. So, the question has been: How does interleukin-36 get switched on to send out the SOS signal?

Now, Professor Martin and recent Trinity PhD graduate, Dr Conor Henry, have discovered the molecules that convert Interleukin-36 from its harmless form to its destructive one, by removing a small piece of Interleukin-36, rather like pulling the pin out of a grenade.

These molecules, called proteases, are overactive in the skin of people that suffer from psoriasis, which suggests an entirely new way of treating this condition.

Indeed, scientists from the Martin laboratory have also discovered and patented inhibitors of the Interleukin-36 activating proteases, and hope to develop their strategy further in partnership with a Pharma or Skincare company.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Martin said: “This discovery is very exciting and we really hope to develop this approach into a new way of treating psoriasis.”

“We are very grateful for the support of Science Foundation Ireland, who funded this research. This work represents an excellent example of how basic research leads to fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of how diseases arise. Without such knowledge, it would be very difficult to develop new therapies.”

The work was carried out in Trinity’s Department of Genetics by a team led by Professor Martin, which included Trinity PhD students Conor Henry and Graeme Sullivan. The Trinity team is internationally recognised for its work in the areas of cell death and inflammation.

Source: tcd.ie

[jiml]

That's great news looking at the problem with fresh eyes and finding a new path to investigate , whilst not a cure it's good to read of new innovative research finding new avenues that should lead to new therapies to control the disease if not a cure
This is very good news for sufferers and will be interesting to follow

[Caroline]

If I read it well they want to further develop it with a pharma or skin care company.
So this is gonna cost us a lot of money.
But what I don't understand is that they found this while doing their reseach supported by common money, so your money (money of the civilian). I do agree that they should get credit for their discovery, but why not let it further develop by a government or patient owned company. We are stakeholders. Then it would cost a lot less in the end for the patient.

[jiml]

If I read it well they want to further develop it with a pharma or skin care company.
So this is gonna cost us a lot of money.
But what I don't understand is that they found this while doing their reseach supported by common money, so your money (money of the civilian). I do agree that they should get credit for their discovery, but why not let it further develop by a government or patient owned company. We are stakeholders. Then it would cost a lot less in the end for the patient.

Well spotted Caroline , you are right we fund the research, I wonder if there are any safeguards for our money or if the government is a stakeholder

[Fred]

If I read it well they want to further develop it with a pharma or skin care company.
So this is gonna cost us a lot of money.
But what I don't understand is that they found this while doing their reseach supported by common money, so your money (money of the civilian). I do agree that they should get credit for their discovery, but why not let it further develop by a government or patient owned company. We are stakeholders. Then it would cost a lot less in the end for the patient.

Well spotted Caroline , you are right we fund the research, I wonder if there are any safeguards for our money or if the government is a stakeholder

Simple answer the government are not a pharma company.

People hate the government having control, so it comes down to investors. Without investors most of the drugs wouldn't be here. You may not like it but it's fact.  

[Caroline]

If I read it well they want to further develop it with a pharma or skin care company.
So this is gonna cost us a lot of money.
But what I don't understand is that they found this while doing their reseach supported by common money, so your money (money of the civilian). I do agree that they should get credit for their discovery, but why not let it further develop by a government or patient owned company. We are stakeholders. Then it would cost a lot less in the end for the patient.

Well spotted Caroline , you are right we fund the research, I wonder if there are any safeguards for our money or if the government is a stakeholder

Simple answer the government are not a pharma company.

People hate the government having control, so it comes down to investors. Without investors most of the drugs wouldn't be here. You may not like it but it's fact.  

Okay, but then "we" civilians should invest, perhaps via the line of the insurers. And than press pharma to a good price.
Problem is I fear, that pharma has already became to powerful. But we made them so powerful by installing the patenting system, which now is corrupted because it is virtually controlled by the big companies who have there lobbying machine strongly inserted in e.g. The USPTO and EPO.

[Fred]

Okay, but then "we" civilians should invest, perhaps via the line of the insurers. And than press pharma to a good price.
Problem is I fear, that pharma has already became to powerful. But we made them so powerful by installing the patenting system, which now is corrupted because it is virtually controlled by the big companies who have there lobbying machine strongly inserted in e.g. The USPTO and EPO.

The patenting system protects and is a good thing in my opinion. Imagine you invent something wouldn't you want to have the chance of protecting it?

As for investing via our insurance, they are as big a rip off as pharma. They are all in it for money, not for the people.

[Caroline]

Okay, but then "we" civilians should invest, perhaps via the line of the insurers. And than press pharma to a good price.
Problem is I fear, that pharma has already became to powerful. But we made them so powerful by installing the patenting system, which now is corrupted because it is virtually controlled by the big companies who have there lobbying machine strongly inserted in e.g. The USPTO and EPO.

The patenting system protects and is a good thing in my opinion. Imagine you invent something wouldn't you want to have the chance of protecting it?

As for investing via our insurance, they are as big a rip off as pharma. They are all in it for money, not for the people.

Patenting seems ok, but software open source proves that it is not necessary in all situations. I am very much hesitating on patenting as when patent trolls come around the innovation is blocked. Innovation is what the world brings further to the future. All garbage that has been made in the past can only be solved in the future.
There is one important point on patent I think, and that it is granted for a too long time, certainly if scientific reseach paid by the community is involved. Than the patent time should be shorter, so also implicitly the community as a share holder will be getting its revenues.

The current situation that pharma is setting prices on a level with which they think will be paid is not a good approach.