Recombinant Metalloproteinase Inhibitors for Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. Various environmental factors have been suggested as aggravating to psoriasis, including oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance etc.

Current treatment for psoriasis attempts to control keratinocyte proliferation, promote differentiations and reduce the associated inflammatory reaction. Systemic therapy involves the use of cytotoxic drugs (eg. Methotrexate, retinoids) etc., or UV-A radiation. The treatment option through inhibition of metalloproteinases that are involved in the cause of psoriasis is one of the best ways to tackle psoriasis.

Metalloproteinases play a crucial role in the destruction of processes related to inflammation and carcinogenesis as well as in wound healing, morphogenesis and growth. Destruction of extracellular matrix proteins related to these enzymes activity and following damage of basement membranes favours angiogenesis and inflammatory infiltrations in psoriasis. The metalloproteinases-MMP-1, MMP-9 and MMP-12 are the major factors that affect the pathogenecity of psoriasis. The innovative molecules that will be developed using bioinformatics and biotechnological process is expected to cure the disease.