A South Korean research team led by Professor Hong-Hee Won has decoded the genetic mechanisms of psoriasis by analyzing genomic data from over 1.1 million people alongside single-cell transcriptomic data. Published in Nature Communications in September 2026, the study identified 125 genetic susceptibility loci, including 17 entirely new ones, and mapped interactions among immune cells and keratinocytes. These findings pinpointed 50 therapeutic target genes, paving the way for personalized immunomodulatory treatments.
Large-scale genomic meta-analysis
- ▪A South Korean research team led by Professor Hong-Hee Won conducted an integrated meta-analysis of genomic data from more than 1.1 million people to study psoriasis.
- ▪The study, published in Nature Communications in September 2026, combined large-scale genomic data with single-cell analysis to reveal the genetic mechanisms behind psoriasis.
Single-cell transcriptomic profiling
- ▪The single-cell transcriptomic analysis allowed the researchers to identify the specific cell populations directly involved in the onset of psoriasis.
- ▪The research team applied single-cell transcriptomic analysis to examine gene activity at single-cell resolution in skin samples from healthy individuals and psoriasis patients.
Psoriasis genetic susceptibility loci
- ▪The genomic meta-analysis of more than 1.1 million people identified 125 genetic susceptibility loci closely linked to the onset of psoriasis.
- ▪Among the 125 identified genetic susceptibility loci, 17 are new loci that had not been previously reported in genetic studies of psoriasis.
Immune cell keratinocyte interactions
- ▪The analysis revealed complex interactions among myeloid cells, T cells, keratinocytes, and vascular endothelial cells that orchestrate a signaling cascade driving inflammation in psoriasis.
- ▪Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately 2% of the global population, raising the risk of systemic conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes.
Therapeutic target gene identification
- ▪By mapping multidimensional cell interactions across skin layers, the research team identified 50 promising therapeutic target genes for psoriasis.
- ▪The research team screened and identified potential target genes to establish a concrete disease pathway for developing new psoriasis treatments.
Personalized immunomodulatory treatment
- ▪Professor Hong-Hee Won expects the study's findings to serve as a key milestone in developing personalized immune-modulating treatments and new drugs tailored to individual psoriasis patients.
- ▪Professor Hong-Hee Won stated that the research combines genomic data with cellular transcriptomic analysis to reveal genetic factors and cell types involved in psoriasis pathology.
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