The effects of the anti-psoriatic agent dithranol on intracellular calcium signalling in keratinocytes

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and affects 2 % of the Western population. It is characterised by increased keratinocyte proliferation, abnormal keratinocyte differentiation and an infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils but to date the aetiology of psoriasis remains incompletely understood. Several lines of evidence indicate a fundamental defect in calcium signalling in keratinocytes. Previous research has shown that keratinocytes cultured from uninvolved psoriatic skin show enhanced cellular calcium responses to calcium-mobilising agonists. The presence of a calcium gradient within the epidermis has also been reported and both intracellular and extracellular calcium have been implicated in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. It is reported that this gradient is lost in psoriatic skin, further reinforcing the concept of a primary defect within psoriatic skin.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo