New research suggests that keratin proteins, which form our skin, hair, and nails, can play a role in the development of skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema. The study identified a mutant keratin protein that disrupts processes that normally help manage inflammation. This could explain how inflammatory skin diseases emerge. The researchers found that when the keratin 16 gene was mutated or missing, skin inflammation skyrocketed. The protein normally acts as a 'brake' on the signals produced by skin cells to recruit the immune system. The research could potentially identify new ways to treat PC, Psoriasis, and related conditions.