By Allison Sit
Researchers from NYU Grossman School of Medicine have determined what may drive psoriasis severity and how the disease impacts the rest of the body. The study, published online in the journal Science Immunology, may offer clues as to why psoriasis can trigger other conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers discovered that the location of clusters of fibroblasts along with macrophages varied and were more common in upper layers of the skin in more severe cases of psoriasis. In addition, researchers found that in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriatic disease, gene activity increased in more than three dozen molecular pathways tied to metabolism and control of lipid levels. The researchers also discovered that the increased gene activity occurred even in clear skin not close to any lesions.
“Our initial goal was to find measurable molecular signals that could tell us who is more likely to develop severe psoriasis, as well as who is at higher risk of developing related disorders that often accompany psoriasis, such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease,” said study co-senior investigator Jose Scher, MD, director of the Psoriatic Arthritis Center at NYU Langone Health. “Having found signals with potential systemic consequences, we are now working to understand how skin inflammation can lead to widespread disease affecting other organs.”
Novartis premiered its docuseries on hidradenitis suppurativa at the Tribeca Film Festival in recognition of Hidradenitis Suppurative Awareness Week. “The Beacons: Illuminating HS Stories,” was co-produced with and hosted by HS advocate, journalist and filmmaker Jasmine IVANNA Espy. The series highlights the experiences of people from multiple countries living with HS.
“We are committed to working with the HS community to bring much-needed awareness to a disease that – up until now – has been rarely talked about and to ‘Shine a Light’ on the impact and raw realities of living with this highly stigmatized disease,” said Gail Horwood, chief marketing and customer experience officer, Novartis Innovative Medicines US.
A dermatologist is now executive medical director of the Washington Permanente Group. Linda Tolbert, MD, JD, EdD, MPH, now leads one of Washington’s largest multispecialty medical groups, with more than 1,300 clinicians caring for more than 600,000 Kaiser Permanente members. She is the first Black woman to serve as executive medical director at Kaiser Permanente.
“It feels like all my experiences to date have prepared me for this calling,” Dr. Tolbert said.
Dr. Tolbert has more than 20 years’ experience in operations, leadership and strategy development. She received her medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine and also completed her residency in internal medicine at Howard. She completed her dermatology residency at Los Angeles County King/Drew Medical Center. She also earned a law degree, a master’s in public health, and a doctorate in organizational change and leadership. She is board certified in dermatology and internal medicine.
