Scientists discover hidden sugar layer behind psoriasis

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February 25, 2026, 1:11 PM

• •Glycans guide immune cells into the skin during psoriasis.
• •Immune cells shed their glycocalyx to enter inflamed tissues.
• •This process is key to inflammation and can worsen psoriasis.
• •The research may lead to new psoriasis treatments.

Scientists have found that sugars, specifically glycans, play a significant role in helping immune cells enter the skin during psoriasis. The study, published in Science Signaling, indicates that immune cells actively shed their sugar coating, the glycocalyx, to move from the bloodstream into inflamed skin. This process is crucial in the inflammatory response but can exacerbate conditions like psoriasis. The research could lead to new drug designs to limit inflammation in diseases like psoriasis.

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