LAUSR

of 6 706 850 SNPs, and logistic regression to make a sophisticated adjustment for relevant covariates, determined an association with SNP clusters in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 14 gene in a distinct subpopulation of the cohort. MAPK14 protein is a kinase essentially involved in cellular responses to extracellular stimuli like pro-inflammatory cytokines or physical stress. It targets a broad range of nuclear and cytosolic substrates involved in a wide variety of cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, survival/apoptosis, transcription regulation and development. Thereby, the MAPK14 protein is also implicated to affect wound healing, while its specific function appears to depend on cell type as well as exogenous and endogenous stimuli. In light of the complex pathogenesis of DFU, (intrinsic) methodological as well as statistical limitations have to be considered when assessing the significance and validity of these results, which currently lack functional confirmation, as accurately addressed and comprehensively discussed by the authors. However, molecular profiling of DFU as presented by Meng and colleagues certainly enhances our perspectives to better define and substratify patients at distinct risks and to determine more accurate treatment strategies specific to the pathogenic pathway and each individual. This is of particular value with regard to the globally rising prevalence of diabetes, the enormous disease burden and the diverse therapeutic approaches available, including protein-, microRNA-, stem celland gene-based therapies.