Forum for Nordic Dermato-Venereology Nr 2, 2018 | Page 13

Lone Skov, Jacob Thyssen and Jeanne Duus Johansen – Dermatological Research at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copen-
hagen
ultraviolet irradiation and other stressors. Stine Simonsen has
in her PhD thesis studied the effect of acute and chronic ul-
traviolet B exposure on immune cells and filaggrin in healthy
and atopic skin. Along that line, an ambitious birth cohort is
now being established that attempts to examine cutaneous
predictors of atopic dermatitis by using tape strips in premature
and mature newborns. Moreover, a large study will be initiated
in Greenland, in which the genotype, immunotype and phe-
notype of atopic dermatitis in Greenlanders will be examined.
This is foreseen to be of particular value as it may identify new
genetic and environmental risk factors for atopic dermatitis. In
her PdH thesis, Yuki Andersen has carefully studied major non-­
atopic co-morbidities of atopic dermatitis in adults and among
other shown that patients have increased risk of autoimmune
diseases, but not cardiovascular diseases.
Psoriasis – immunology and biomarkers
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which Th17 T
cells are important; however, other lymphocytes also play a
role, including innate lymphoid cells, gamma delta T cells
and neutrophils. These results have been reported in the PhD
thesis by Beatrice Dyring-Andersen. Biomarkers for identifying
subgroups of patients and biomarkers for identifying patients
with different response to treatment among patients with
psoriasis are missing. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous,
non-protein-coding oligo-RNAs of 18–24-nucleotides. miRNAs
are hallmarks in a broad range of biological processes including
development, cellular differentiation, proliferation and apopto-
sis. We, and others, have previously described a specific miRNA
profile in psoriasis. miRNA as robust biomarkers in skin and
blood was reported in the PhD thesis by Marianne Løvendorf.
Psoriasis – epidemiology and co-morbidity
Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of several
co-morbidities. The department has, in collaboration with the
Department of Cardiology at the hospital, used the nationwide
Danish registers to study the associations between psoriasis
and other inflammatory diseases. Alexander Egeberg has de-
fended his PhD thesis on certain central nervous system (CNS)
diseases, including multiple sclerosis and the association with
psoriasis, and has subsequently continued in the department
with epidemiological studies on prevalence and co-morbidities
related to psoriasis, rosacea and atopic dermatitis. The prev-
alence and metabolic risk factors as diabetes in patients with
psoriasis is supported by epidemiological studies in twins, as
reported in a PhD thesis by Ann Sofie Lønnberg. Findings that
support the notion that psoriasis is a pre-diabetic condition
and suggest that gastrointestinal-related mechanisms are
involved in the increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in
patients with psoriasis is reported in the PhD thesis by Mette
Gyldenløve.
Forum for Nord Derm Ven 2018, Vol. 23, No. 2
IgE-mediated allergy
The research unit in the allergy section covers all kind of IgE-me-
diated allergy, clinical and basic and patients with suspected
drug allergy. The research in the section is led by Professor
Lars K. Poulsen and Associated Professor Lene Heise Garvey
in collaboration with head of department Claus Zachariae. A
main research area is the optimization of diagnostics in peni-
cillin allergy and other drug allergy, including the use of drug
provocation. The Allergy Clinic also has a National Reference
Centre for the investigation of perioperative hypersensitivity
(the Danish Anaesthesia Allergy Centre). The main research
areas are specific causes, including allergy towards chlorhex-
idine and other hidden and rare allergens such as excipients,
mechanisms and treatment of perioperative hypersensitivity
and the use of drug provocation in perioperative hypersensi-
tivity. Doctors from the clinic are represented in national and
international working groups on both penicillin allergy and
perioperative hypersensitivity.
D ermato -V enereology in the N ordic C ountries
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