Scientists find way to use microbes to treat atopic skin disease

SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists said Monday that they have found a way to use microbes to help treat atopic skin disease that affects a large number of people around the world. The discovery by the Korea University team led by microbiology professors Park Yong-keun and Yoon Won-suck, centers on creating a small interface ribonucleic acid (RNA) or miRNA, that suppresses the CCL22RNA, cited for triggering skin inflammatory reactions. Atopic skin disease, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a irritating skin disorder that includes symptoms of itching, scaling of the skin and redness. The scientists said the miRNA was massed produced with the assistance of Salmonella bacteria that had been specifically engineered to be harmless to humans. "The Salmonella bacteria helps strengthen the potency of the treatment substance and makes it more effective in suppressing atopic conditions," the scientists claimed, citing good test results on laboratory mice with atopic skin conditions. The findings published in the latest issue of the international Experimental and Molecular Medicine journal showed that the new material was less costly to make compared to existing treatment that utilizes genetic therapy, can be made into drugs that can be swallowed, and have no known side effects. The university researchers said patents have been requested as of last year with preliminary clinical tests to be conducted in 2012.