[Genome-associated studies in chronic inflammatory dermatoses]

Abstract

With a prevalence of 15 % in children and 5 % in adults and a lifetime prevalence of 3 %, atopic eczema and psoriasis vulgaris are the two most common chronic inflammatory forms of dermatosis. Both represent typical multifactorial diseases, the manifestation and progression of which are driven by the interaction of multiple genetic as well as environmental factors. The rapid technological development has led to deep insights into the genetic architecture of these diseases. In particular, genome-wide association studies have identified an impressive number of genetic risk factors and led to a better understanding of disease pathophysiology. Knowledge from genetic epidemiology is increasingly being translated in clinical applications, e.g. by the use of genetic markers for patient stratification and of involved pathways for development of innovative therapeutic approaches. New sequencing technologies and systems biology approaches will aid in gaining an even more comprehensive insight into the role of genetic information in the development of chronic inflammatory skin diseases.