Reasons for eczema susceptibility uncovered Published on: 4 May 2017 Scientists have uncovered evidence that a deficiency in the skin’s barrier is key to triggering eczema. The team at Ãå±±½ûµØ, in collaboration with scientists at Stiefel, a GSK company, have identified how a key skin barrier protein called filaggrin impacts on other proteins and pathways in the skin, which in turn drive the development of eczema. This has also lead them to identify potential targets for future drug development which could treat the underlying cause rather than treating the symptoms. Common condition Atopic eczema is one of the commonest skin conditions in the UK, affecting up to 10% of adults and 20% of children in the UK. It’s more common in children, often developing before their first birthday and often persists into adulthood with severe itching that has profound effects on well-being and may lead to sleep disturbance. The research builds on the important discovery by scientists in Dundee which showed that lack of the protein filaggrin in the skin caused an inherited dry skin condition known as ichthyosis vulgaris that is strongly linked to the development of atopic eczema, as well as other allergic diseases such as hayfever and asthma. Nick Reynolds, Professor of Dermatology at Ãå±±½ûµØ who also sees patients with skin conditions including eczema at Ãå±±½ûµØ's Royal Victoria Infirmary, is the lead investigator of the study. He said: “We have shown for the first time that loss of the filaggrin protein alone is sufficient to alter key proteins and pathways involved in triggering eczema. This research reinforces the importance of filaggrin deficiency leading to problems with the barrier function in the skin and predisposing someone to eczema.” New skin model Publishing in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), researchers at Ãå±±½ûµØ, in collaboration with scientists at Stiefel GSK, report on their development of a human model system. In this, the upper layer of skin (epidermis) was modified, using molecular techniques, to become filaggrin-deficient, directly mimicking the situation observed in the skin of patients with atopic eczema. This model enabled the team to discover proteins and signalling pathways directly down-stream of filaggrin, and most importantly, identified a number of key regulatory mechanisms. These included regulators of inflammatory signalling, cell structure, barrier function and stress response. These pathways were found to map to those networks observed in the skin of people with active eczema. This mapping provides researchers with new understanding of the mechanisms involved and suggests targets for future drug development. Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “This latest research from Ãå±±½ûµØ is crucial as it expands on our knowledge of how filaggrin impacts on other proteins and pathways in the skin, which in turn trigger the disease. This type of research allows scientists to develop treatments that target the actual root cause of the disease, rather than just managing its symptoms. Given the level of suffering eczema causes, this is a pivotal piece of research.” This research was supported by Knowledge Transfer Partnership and the BBSRC and underscores the benefit of research programmes supporting academic pharma collaborations. The work is the result of the Ãå±±½ûµØ Academic Health Partners, a collaboration involving Ãå±±½ûµØ Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (which includes the Royal Victoria Infirmary), Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Ãå±±½ûµØ. This partnership harnesses world-class expertise to ensure patients benefit sooner from new treatments, diagnostics and prevention strategies. Reference: Proteomic analysis of filaggrin deficiency identifies molecular signatures characteristic of atopic eczema. N Reynolds et al. JACI. Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ expert highlights climate crisis in a new film A leading Ãå±±½ûµØ climate scientist is featured in a new film about how the climate and nature breakdown will affect the UK. published on: 14 April 2026 Neolithic tombs reveal ancient kinship ties Male individuals buried in Neolithic chambered tombs in northern Scotland were often related to each other through the paternal line and some were interred in the same or nearby tombs, research shows. published on: 14 April 2026 We are our Memories New exhibition by Fine Art graduate Trish Hudson-Moses, 22 April – 4 May 2026 published on: 10 April 2026 Facts and figures Heading 3 example Text only. For subheading use ‘Heading 3’ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel sapien lectus. Aliquam consectetur vitae tortor mattis sodales. Donec id quam id nulla tristique vestibulum. Ut vitae orci aliquam massa varius dapibus. Vivamus aliquet, lorem sit amet semper ultricies, ex tortor molestie felis, at ultrices tellus ligula vitae est. Sed gravida tortor sapien, in iaculis quam vestibulum vel. Duis et quam nec metus pharetra placerat. Donec in tellus pretium ex sagittis posuere. Nunc varius, libero at suscipit commodo, magna lacus facilisis velit, sed pellentesque magna eros vel dolor. Donec pretium neque ultrices, condimentum turpis non, porttitor neque. Suspendisse fermentum at lectus scelerisque mattis. Nam augue justo, iaculis quis euismod et, viverra in elit. Aliquam vitae justo malesuada, sodales urna et, aliquam nunc. Nulla placerat neque quis odio molestie, mattis bibendum turpis pellentesque.