Plaque psoriasis, with its range of physical and stigmatizing symptoms, from reduced mobility to pain, can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. While there are several treatments for plaque psoriasis, such as phototherapy and biologics, they often have limitations and varying efficacy. Fortunately, recent clinical studies and ongoing research have highlighted the promising potential of microbiome research in treating psoriasis. This emerging field offers new insights into the treatment of psoriasis by exploring the complex relationship between our bodies and microorganisms, potentially revolutionizing the way we approach this condition.
Shaping the Future of Medical Research with Microbiome
The human microbiome refers to the vast collection of microorganisms living on and within the human body, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea. These microorganisms play crucial roles in many body functions, like digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity regulation. A balanced microbiome is required for good health, as it helps protect against invasion by pathogens while aiding in digestion involving complex carbohydrates and synthesizing vital vitamins.
One of the microbiome’s most significant roles is to maintain immune system balance. It plays an important part in the growth and function of immune cells and trains them to distinguish between harmful pathogens and the body’s own cells. This process is essential for preventing autoimmune reactions, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. However, when the microbiome is imbalanced—a condition known as dysbiosis—this disruption may lead to immune dysfunction and trigger autoimmune diseases such as plaque psoriasis.
Current Microbiome Research in Plaque Psoriasis
Recent studies suggest that dysbiosis may play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases by altering the response to self-antigens. A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science also found that changes in skin or gut microbiota composition have been specifically linked to the severity and progression of plaque psoriasis. These insights into the microbiome’s interaction with the immune system open up new opportunities for designing interventions that restore healthy intestinal flora, potentially influencing inflammatory processes to prevent or treat such conditions.
Research indicates that patients with psoriasis tend to have fewer beneficial microbes on their skin than those without the condition. The drop in microbial diversity is particularly visible in specific advantageous bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis, which safeguard skin health. In addition, some pathogenic microbes, such as Staphylococcus aureus, are more common and are known to worsen skin inflammation, further displaying that microbial imbalances contribute to the development of psoriasis and influence its severity.
(Figure 1)
Skin–microbiota interactions in psoriasis and lupus. Microbiota interactions with immune cells are shown for healthy skin and psoriasis. Details on healthy skin (left panel), such as the role of keratinocyte CD109 in the cutaneous barrier, are described in the main text. IL-17 þ and IL-22 þ ab or gd TCR-expressing T cells interact with the gut microbiota and mediate skin inflammation in psoriasis.
Potential of Microbiome-Based Treatments for Plaque Psoriasis
More research is being conducted to uncover how these microbiome imbalances can be corrected, leading to novel treatment options for psoriasis. Microbiome-based therapies focus on the root causes of psoriasis, offering more personalized and effective treatment than conventional ones. Some of the microbiome-based treatments include:
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics are among the most promising microbiome-based treatments. Probiotics are live-beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Several clinical trials have demonstrated the potential of probiotics in restoring microbiome balance and prebiotics enhancing healthy bacteria’s ability to modulate the immune system.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) involves transferring stool from a healthy person into a patient’s gut to restore balance to a microbiome. Originally FMT was used to treat Clostridium difficile infections, but recently, it is now being explored as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases like psoriasis. Early studies on this microbiome-based treatment have shown promising results in reducing inflammatory symptoms, though more research is needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness and safety for psoriasis. Risks associated with FMT, such as infection transmission and immune reactions, must be carefully considered.
Risks and Challenges in Microbiome-Based Treatments
While microbiome-based therapies hold promise, several challenges must be addressed. These include ensuring the safety and standardization of treatments like FMT, understanding the long-term effects of altering the microbiome, and addressing the ethical considerations related to microbiome manipulation. Additionally, the inter-individual variability of microbiomes means that what works for one patient may not work for another, necessitating extensive personalized approaches.
The Future of Microbiome Research in Autoimmune Diseases
The future of microbiome-based treatments depends on personalization. Advancements in genetic sequencing and bioinformatics allow for the creation of personalized microbiome profiles, which can be used to tailor treatments to an individual’s unique microbiome makeup. For example, customized probiotic therapies could be developed by considering a patient’s specific microbiome imbalances, which offers a more targeted and effective treatment approach against psoriasis with fewer side effects than conventional approaches.
Microbiome research has the potential to improve the treatment of several autoimmune diseases other than plaque psoriasis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis, which have all been linked to microbiome imbalances.
The advancements in bioinformatics and genetic sequencing have sped up microbiome research, which has helped scientists study the microbiome in greater detail, leading to the discovery of specific chemicals and microbes linked to diseases. Microbiome research could revolutionize treatment for plaque psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases by targeting root causes, but the complex link between the microbiome and the immune system requires further research.
Get Worldwide’s Support in Microbiome Research
At Worldwide Clinical Trials, we’re dedicated to advancing drug development programs for a range of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. With our specialized team and full-service capabilities, Worldwide is here to support your study. Our expertise in clinical trial management ensures that your projects are conducted with the highest standards of quality and scientific integrity. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your next project.
