The chronic skin disease psoriasis could be treated with the help of a compound that targets a small piece of genetic material in cells, new research in animals suggests, Fox News reporst.

Researchers found that blocking a type of genetic material called micro-RNA lowered the inflammation in mice that were grafted with skin from people with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease (in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues), and is one of the most common skin conditions worldwide, affecting about 3 percent of the human population. The condition affects about millions of people, including celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and country singer LeAnn Rimes.

Although the exact cause of psoriasis remains unknown, it's likely a combination of genetics and environmental factors, experts say.

The disease shows up as itchy rashes, and flaky skin and scalp.

The condition can be treated with steroid ointments, light therapy and immune suppressants, but there's no cure.

Juan Guinea-Viniegra and his co-authors at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) in Madrid found that a compound called antagomir can block a micro-RNA called miR-21 from linking with and regulating other RNAs.

When the RNA is blocked with antagomir, the inflammation of psoriasis seems to slow down, the researchers said.