Genetic and immunological predisposition to dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic, severely itchy and blistering autoimmune skin condition which is diagnosed with skin biopsy in secondary health care. While it is widely acknowledged that in DH immune response in the skin targets transglutaminase 3 (TG3), serum TG3-autoantibodies are underutilized in the diagnostics and follow-up of DH. Moreover, current understanding of the genetic background and intestinal and skin microbiota as well as immunological responses in DH is scarce. This project aims to investigate TG3-antibodies as markers of potential DH and DH activity, and to study the genetic background, skin transcriptome, the microbiome, as well as T and B cell responses in DH in order to identify novel clinically applicable biomarkers. Ultimately the project will facilitate the development of earlier and less-invasive diagnostic and monitoring methods in DH and could offer novel strategies in the prevention and treatment of DH.