FOSL1 Identified as a Potential Biomarker for Psoriasis Activity and Response to Therapy
A recent study published in Current Molecular Medicine highlights the potential of FOSL1, a subunit of the transcription factor AP1, as a biomarker for assessing psoriasis activity and response to treatment. The research investigated FOSL1 expression in lesional skin and its association with disease activity in patients undergoing bathwater psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy.
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significant FOSL1 accumulation in lesional psoriatic skin, correlating with disease activity. FOSL1 expression was found to increase during disease flare-ups and decrease after bathwater PUVA therapy. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed elevated FOSL1 messenger RNA and protein levels during active disease, with reductions post-treatment.
To further elucidate the role of FOSL1, researchers silenced its expression in cultured keratinocytes. This resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of 10 target genes implicated in psoriasis pathogenesis, including MMP1, MMP9, IVL, CCNA2, CCL2, HMOX1, PLAU, PLAUR, and THBD. These findings suggest a critical role for FOSL1 in the molecular pathways driving the disease.
"Our study suggests that FOSL1 shows potential as a biomarker for psoriasis," the authors stated. "The expression of FOSL1 correlates with disease activity and is linked to changes in the expression of genes previously implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis."
By tracking FOSL1 levels, clinicians may gain a new tool for monitoring disease progression and evaluating treatment efficacy, particularly in patients undergoing phototherapy.
This study identifies FOSL1 as a promising biomarker for psoriasis, offering insights into disease activity and response to therapy. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore FOSL1’s potential integration into clinical practice.
Reference
Sobolev V, Soboleva A, Katkova K, et al. Using the AP1 transcription factor FOSL1 to assess the exacerbation of psoriasis. Curr Mol Med. Published January 17, 2025. doi:10.2174/011566524034344124
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