Comparative gene expression in healthy African American and White Non-Hispanic skin

The risk of atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lupus erythematosus is significantly higher in African Americans (AA), while White Non-Hispanic (WNH) subjects have a greater risk of psoriasis. The mechanisms underlying disparity in inflammatory skin diseases risks are poorly understood, and the molecular landscape of skin of color including transcriptome and proteome are not well known. To assess whether and how gene expression pattern in normal skin may affect predisposition to specific skin inflammatory diseases, we performed analkysis of gene expression in full thickness skin biopsies obtained from healthy African American and White Non-Hispanic volunteers (all females, aged 22-46). Overall design: The study included healthy female volunteers without history of skin and systemic inflammatory diseases, aged 22-46 years with darkly pigmented skin (Fitzpatrick score V-VI, self-identified as AA) and lightly pigmented skin (Fitzpatrick score I-II, self-identified as WNH). 4 mm full thickness skin biopsies werte collected from the inner upper arm area (relatively sun-protected area).