UCSF

"Skin Sodium Accumulates in Psoriasis and Reflects Disease Severity" (Maifeld et al., 2021) showed that skin sodium ion (Na⁺) is increased in patients with a PASI > 5. Na⁺ concentration as well as its content were increased in these patients, supporting the proposed mechanism that increased Na⁺ concentrations enhance IL-17 expression from CD4⁺ cells. These data initially were generated using a noninvasive technique, sodium (²³Na) magnetic resonance imaging, and then were verified using ²³Na spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectrometry in ashed-skin biopsies in humans and also using mouse models of psoriasis. These findings suggest a novel pathologic mechanism for psoriasis development and target for treatment.