A review of spatial transcriptomics in psoriasis: new insights into cellular contributions

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) is a technology that has advanced our understanding of the cellular and genetic characteristics of conditions like psoriasis, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. ST is often used in conjunction with methods like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), which is a popular method to investigate cellular gene expression. Together, ST and scRNA-seq allow for the visualization and quantification of gene expression spatially, with the preservation of tissue architecture. In psoriasis research, ST and scRNA-seq have led to the identification of distinct cell populations within the skin, associated dysregulated pathways, and critical insight into tissue microenvironments and cell-to-cell interactions. In this review, we provide a summary of how ST has been utilized to better understand psoriasis and how it has shaped our understanding of prominent cell types in psoriasis.