The investigation of the T cell receptor diversity of CD8+ T cells in skin tissue and peripheral blood of psoriasis patients

Psoriasis is a disease caused by overactive T cells. A gene called HLA-C*06:02 increases the risk of developing psoriasis. This gene present small protein fragments (antigens) to T cells, which are recognised by T cell receptors. My project focused on studying the T cell receptors of the T cells that stay in the psoriatic epidermis because these T cells may respond to disease-related antigens. Disease-related antigens could be used as targets for future treatments. As a result, I discovered the prevalent T cell receptors in the psoriatic epidermis, which could help screen for the antigen that triggers psoriasis.