Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease characterized by intensely itchy and blistering skin lesions. At our company, we are at the forefront of dermatitis herpetiformis drug and therapy development services, aiming to provide innovative solutions for the diagnostics and therapeutics of this challenging condition.
Background of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis, also known as Duhring's disease, is a rare cutaneous manifestation of celiac disease. It is characterized by the deposition of IgA antibodies in the skin, primarily at the dermal papillae. HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 haplotypes have been strongly associated with DH, suggesting a genetic predisposition. Gluten ingestion triggers an immune response in the gut, leading to the production of IgA antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (tTG). These antibodies then circulate and deposit in the skin, where they bind to the epidermal transglutaminase 3 (TG3) and activate the complement cascade, resulting in an inflammatory response and blister formation.
Fig.1 Typical histopathological findings of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). (Nguyen C. N., et al., 2021)
Drug Discovery and Development for Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Pharmacological interventions are often utilized to provide faster relief and manage acute flares. Dapsone, a sulfone antibiotic with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, remains the gold standard pharmacological therapeutic for DH. In cases where cases cannot tolerate dapsone or do not respond to it, other sulfonamides such as sulfapyridine and sulfasalazine can be considered. Superpotent or potent topical steroids, such as betamethasone and clobetasol propionate, can provide acute symptomatic relief and reduce localized lesions in DH. Other alternative medications, including methotrexate, colchicine, cyclosporine, heparin, tetracycline, mycophenolate, azathioprine, nicotinamide, and rituximab, have shown potential benefits in certain cases of DH.
Our dedicated team of researchers and scientists works tirelessly to develop novel therapies for DH. If you are interested in our therapeutic development services, please click on the link below to learn more.
Small Molecule Drug
Probiotics Therapy
Therapeutic Antibody
Cell Therapy
Gene Therapy
Therapeutics Development
Our Services
To facilitate the development and testing of new therapies, we specialize in the creation of dermatitis herpetiformis animal models and in vitro models. Animal models allow us to study the pathogenesis of DH in a controlled environment and evaluate the efficacy and safety of potential drug candidates. Our in vitro models provide a valuable platform for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying DH and screening potential therapeutic agents.
Gluten Induced Models
One commonly used method involves the administration of gluten or gluten-derived peptides to animals with specific genetic backgrounds. This approach mimics the gluten sensitivity observed in celiac disease and DH cases, leading to the development of characteristic skin lesions and immune responses.
Transgenic Mouse Models
The transgenic mice with HLA-DQ8 and NOD background developed by our company exhibit clinical features resembling human DH, including the formation of blisters, granular IgA deposits along the basement membrane zone, and subepidermal blisters rich in neutrophils and monocytes.
To better understand the complex interactions between different cell types involved in DH, our company offers co-culture systems. These systems involve the integration of keratinocytes with immune cells, such as neutrophils and monocytes, to replicate the inflammatory environment observed in DH.
Our company offers organoid model development services. The development of organoid models, such as skin and intestinal organoids, provides a physiologically relevant environment to study tissue-specific responses to gluten exposure.
In addition to the aforementioned range of services and models, we also specialize in tailoring customized solutions and developing disease models that precisely align with your distinctive requirements. At the same time, we provide state-of-the-art diagnostics development services, including serological testing for IgA antibodies against tTG and TG3, aiding in the confirmation of DH and its differentiation from other blistering disorders. Should our array of services capture your interest, we warmly encourage you to reach out to us without hesitation.
References
- Nguyen C. N., and Soo-Jung Kim. "Dermatitis herpetiformis: An update on diagnosis, disease monitoring, and management." Medicina 57.8 (2021): 843.
- Reunala Timo, Kaisa Hervonen, and Teea Salmi. "Dermatitis herpetiformis: an update on diagnosis and management." American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 22.3 (2021): 329-338.