SI-Translational Genetics and Epigenetics of Immune-Related Skin Diseases

Qianjin Lu, Ming Zhao, Juan Tao, Liangdan Sun, Hong Liu

Skin is one of the largest organs of the human body and functions as a barrier defending people from physical, chemical, and biological injury from the environment. It also plays an immuno-surveillance role in maintaining homeostasis. The development of a series of immune-related skin diseases, such as psoriasis, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, lupus, and scleroderma, might involve the immune dysfunctions of skin, which are caused by dysfunction of the innate immune system and adaptive immune system. However, the direct causes of immune-mediated skin diseases remain unclear. Accumulating evidence indicates that genetic and epigenetic factors-induced abnormalities of immune cells, and cytokines and chemokines might be the key players in the development of immune-mediated dermatosis.

In the past decade, the advances in genomics and epigenomic studies have demonstrated a lot of molecular targets that seem promising for developing novel therapeutics for immune-mediated skin diseases. Therefore, further studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety. Moreover, new cellular players, such as the T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and T helper type 9 (Th9) cells, which contribute to immune-related skin disease progression and perpetuation, have also been elucidated. Further, aberrant epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and miRNAs, have been proposed as biomarkers for making diagnoses of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other immune-mediated dermatoses.
This special issue will be focusing on the discussion of cutting-edge genomics, epigenomics and immunology, and in particular, the challenges and critical steps of translational research in the immune-mediated skin diseases. Topics include, but are not limited to:
1) Genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of the immune-mediated skin diseases.
2) Genetic and epigenetic therapies for the immune-mediated skin diseases.
3) Immunobiology for the immune-mediated skin diseases.
4) Novel techniques for diagnosis and treatments of the immune-related skin diseases.

We welcome original research papers, reviews, perspectives, and commentary articles on previously published papers in the literature. Manuscripts can be Submitted Online. PDF.

Introduction to Guest Editors

Qianjin Lu, MD, PhD, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Ming Zhao, MD, PhD, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Juan Tao, MD, PhD, The Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Liangdan Sun, MD, PhD, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University; The Key Laboratory for Dermatology of the Ministry of Education, Hefei, China

Hong Liu, MD, PhD, Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases, the First Medical University of Shandong; Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China