Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Scalp seborrheic dermatitis (SSD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease. Its pathogenesis and immunological features have been poorly studied. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the molecular profile of adult patients with SSD in lesional scalps. METHODS: Using punch biopsies, we assessed 92 inflammatory biomarkers in the lesional scalps of SSD patients (n=16) and demographically matched healthy controls (HCs; n=12) via Olink high-throughput proteomics. RESULTS: We identified 16 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between lesional scalps of patients with SSD and those of HCs. SSD lesional scalps demonstrated significantly greater expressions of proteins related to T-cell/lymphocyte activation, the cytokine storm signaling pathway and the CGAS-STING signaling pathway. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) highlighted Th1 skewing. These data suggest that SSD is associated with Th1 skewing and the dysregulation of lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: These analyses provide a rationale for novel treatment approaches for SSD patients, mainly those targeting Th1 pathways.