Research indicates glycocalyx role in immune cell recruitment during psoriasis-like skin inflammation — Evidence Review
Published in Science Signaling, by researchers from Lancaster University, University of Manchester, MIT, Victoria University of Wellington
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Table of Contents
Scientists have discovered that immune cells shed part of their sugar coating, known as the glycocalyx, to enter inflamed skin during psoriasis—suggesting a more active role for these sugars in immune cell movement than previously thought. Related research generally supports the significance of glycocalyx dynamics and immune cell recruitment in inflammatory skin diseases, building on and refining current understanding; for further details, see the original source.
- The new findings extend previous research that primarily focused on changes in the endothelial (blood vessel) glycocalyx, showing that immune cells themselves actively modify their own sugar layer to facilitate tissue entry, a mechanism that had not been directly demonstrated before 3 11 13.
- Recent literature consistently emphasizes the central role of immune cell trafficking and signaling pathways in psoriasis pathogenesis, with studies identifying both endothelial and immune cell contributions to inflammation and highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting these processes 1 2 3 5.
- Glycocalyx shedding is increasingly recognized in broader inflammatory processes, including acute respiratory distress syndrome and transplant rejection, suggesting that the mechanisms uncovered in psoriasis may have wider implications for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases 11 13 14 15.
Study Overview and Key Findings
Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, involves complex interactions between immune cells and the tissues they infiltrate. While earlier research highlighted the role of blood vessel wall sugars in regulating immune cell movement, this study provides new evidence that immune cells themselves actively shed their own glycocalyx—the sugar-rich outer coating—to exit the bloodstream and infiltrate inflamed skin. This process may be crucial for both normal immune defense and the development of inflammatory diseases like psoriasis.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Organization | Lancaster University, University of Manchester, MIT, Victoria University of Wellington |
| Journal Name | Science Signaling |
| Authors | Dr. Amy Saunders, Dr. Douglas Dyer, Dr. Megan Priestley, Dr. Max Nobis, Professor Olga Zubkova |
| Population | Immune cells in psoriasis-like skin inflammation |
| Outcome | Role of glycocalyx in immune cell recruitment |
| Results | Immune cells actively shed glycocalyx to enter inflamed skin. |
This research is particularly timely, as it challenges established notions about immune cell recruitment and provides a new perspective on how immune responses are regulated at the cellular level. The study's findings could inform the development of targeted therapies aimed at modulating immune cell trafficking to treat psoriasis and potentially other inflammatory conditions.
Literature Review: Related Studies
To place these findings in context, we searched the Consensus database, which contains over 200 million research papers. The following search queries were used to identify relevant studies:
- psoriasis glycocalyx immune response
- sugar layer inflammation skin conditions
- glycocalyx shedding immune cell behavior
Below, we summarize key themes and findings from the literature:
| Topic | Key Findings |
|---|---|
| How do immune cells and the glycocalyx contribute to inflammation? | - Glycocalyx degradation on endothelial cells facilitates immune cell recruitment and inflammation in psoriasis and other diseases 3 11 13 15. - Both adaptive and innate immune cells interact through complex cytokine networks to drive skin inflammation, with Th17 and dendritic cells playing central roles 1 2 4 5. |
| What is the role of sugars and the glycocalyx in skin immune defense? | - Sugars and glycocalyx components are crucial in cell signaling and immune modulation, influencing inflammation and microbial interactions at the skin barrier 8. - Shedding or modification of the glycocalyx is a key step in immune cell migration across tissues, as seen in both human disease and parasitic infection models 12. |
| How does dietary sugar intake affect skin inflammation? | - Excessive intake of dietary sugars can aggravate inflammatory skin conditions, increasing proinflammatory cytokines and skin thickness 6 10. - Some forms of unrefined sugar may have anti-inflammatory effects, though evidence is mainly from animal studies and remains inconclusive for humans 9. |
| Are there therapeutic strategies targeting glycocalyx or immune cells? | - Targeting endothelial glycocalyx degradation (e.g., anti-IGFBP7 therapy) shows potential in animal models for reducing skin inflammation in psoriasis 3. - Modulation of sugar-related pathways, such as topical glucose or anti-adhesive carbohydrate derivatives, may influence skin barrier function and inflammation 7 8. |
How do immune cells and the glycocalyx contribute to inflammation?
The related literature consistently highlights the importance of both immune cells and the glycocalyx in modulating inflammation. While previous research emphasized endothelial cell glycocalyx degradation as a trigger for immune cell infiltration, the new study expands this paradigm by showing that immune cells themselves actively shed their glycocalyx to enter inflamed skin, providing a more nuanced understanding of immune cell trafficking in psoriasis and related conditions 3 15.
- Endothelial glycocalyx breakdown exposes adhesion molecules and facilitates immune cell migration into the skin, exacerbating inflammation in psoriasis 3 13 15.
- Both adaptive and innate immune cells, particularly Th17, dendritic cells, and other T cell subsets, are central to the inflammatory cascade in psoriasis 1 2 4 5.
- The new findings suggest immune cells are not passive responders to endothelial changes but actively participate in remodeling their own surface to traverse tissue barriers 3.
- Understanding these cellular and molecular mechanisms opens avenues for targeted intervention in inflammatory diseases 1 2 3.
What is the role of sugars and the glycocalyx in skin immune defense?
Sugars and glycocalyx structures are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of immune responses at the skin’s interface. The new study’s focus on immune cell glycocalyx aligns with previous observations that sugars mediate cell signaling, pathogen recognition, and barrier integrity, and that glycocalyx shedding facilitates migration in both human and parasitic immune responses 8 12.
- Sugars on cell surfaces mediate immune recognition, pathogen interactions, and inflammation 8.
- Glycocalyx shedding is essential for immune cells to navigate tissue barriers, as shown in both mammalian and parasite models 12.
- The new findings specifically highlight the active role of immune cell glycocalyx, not just endothelial, in skin inflammation 3 12.
- This perspective may inform the design of therapies that modulate sugar-mediated signaling in the skin 8.
How does dietary sugar intake affect skin inflammation?
Several studies address the impact of dietary sugar on skin inflammation, finding that excessive sugar intake can worsen inflammatory skin diseases, while some unrefined sugars may have protective effects. These findings provide a broader context for the importance of sugar molecules in regulating inflammation, though they relate to systemic intake rather than the cellular glycocalyx mechanisms described in the new study 6 9 10.
- High-sugar diets have been linked to increased severity of dermatitis and heightened proinflammatory cytokine production in animal models 6 10.
- Unrefined sugarcane products may reduce inflammation, but evidence is limited and mainly from animal studies 9.
- These findings suggest that sugars influence inflammation both systemically and at the cellular barrier level 6 9 10.
- The relationship between dietary sugars and the glycocalyx’s role in immune cell behavior remains to be explored 6 9 10.
Are there therapeutic strategies targeting glycocalyx or immune cells?
Therapeutic research is beginning to target the glycocalyx and immune cell migration pathways in inflammatory diseases. The new study’s focus on immune cell glycocalyx shedding may facilitate the development of drugs aimed at modulating this process, complementing existing strategies that target endothelial glycocalyx or immune signaling pathways 3 7 8.
- Anti-IGFBP7 therapy targeting endothelial glycocalyx damage has shown efficacy in animal models of psoriasis, suggesting the approach could reduce skin inflammation 3.
- Topical application of glucose or carbohydrate derivatives has been shown to modulate skin barrier function and inflammation in other skin diseases 7 8.
- These strategies underscore the potential for interventions that stabilize or modify the glycocalyx to prevent excessive immune cell recruitment 3 7 8.
- The new study’s insights into immune cell-derived glycocalyx suggest additional therapeutic targets beyond the endothelium 3.
Future Research Questions
While this study advances our understanding of immune cell migration and the role of the glycocalyx in psoriasis, several questions remain. Future research should clarify how these mechanisms operate in other inflammatory diseases, whether therapeutic modulation of the immune cell glycocalyx is feasible in humans, and what broader implications these processes have for immune regulation and tissue health.
| Research Question | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Does modulating immune cell glycocalyx affect disease severity in human psoriasis? | Understanding whether pharmacological or genetic interventions targeting immune cell glycocalyx can alter psoriasis severity could pave the way for new therapies 3 5. |
| Are glycocalyx shedding mechanisms similar in other inflammatory skin diseases? | Investigating whether immune cell glycocalyx shedding occurs in conditions like atopic dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis could reveal shared or unique pathways across diseases 7 10. |
| What signaling pathways regulate glycocalyx shedding in immune cells? | Elucidating the molecular signals that trigger glycocalyx shedding may identify druggable targets and clarify interactions between cytokines, immune cells, and endothelial cells 1 2 3. |
| Can dietary sugar intake influence glycocalyx structure and immune cell behavior? | Exploring whether systemic sugar levels affect immune cell or endothelial glycocalyx integrity could bridge findings from nutrition and cellular immunology 6 9 10. |
| Is glycocalyx shedding a therapeutic target in other immune-mediated diseases? | Determining if similar mechanisms are at play in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, or COVID-19 could broaden therapeutic applications of glycocalyx-modulating strategies 11 13 15. |
This article presents a comprehensive, evidence-based summary of how immune cell glycocalyx dynamics contribute to psoriasis and highlights how these findings fit into the broader scientific landscape. Future research will be critical for translating these biological insights into targeted treatments for inflammatory diseases.