Biochemical Significance of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Psoriasis vulgaris among Egyptian Patients

Background: Psoriasis has been characterized by hyperproliferation accompanied by acanthosis and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes. Several growth factors and cytokines, are assumed to be important. Recent studies indicate that various cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α ( TNF α ), IL 2R and IL 6 play an essential role in the induction and maintenance of psoriatic lesion. Objectives: To analyse relevant inflammatory mediators in the serum of patients with active psoriasis ( Psoriasis vulgaris ) of mild-to-moderate and severe psoriasis compared to healthy controls. Patients / Methods: Forty psoriasis patients were recruited from the dermatology outpatient clinic of Cairo University Hospital. Patients body mass index ( BMI ), waist circumference and psoriasis area and severity index ( PASI ) were recorded. Fasting serum samples were obtained on enrolment. All the patients did not receive any treatment (locally or systemically), for at least four weeks before enrolment. Age, sex and ( BMI ) matched with forty healthy controls were also recruited. Serum TNF α, IL 2R and IL 6 levels were estimated using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay ( ELISA ) technique. The patients group were subdivided to two groups according to the diseases severity, PASI , into, mild-to-moderate psoriasis group and severe psoriasis group. Results: Serum TNF α, IL 2R and IL 6 were all statistically significant elevated in the patients group compared to healthy controls ( p < 0.05 ). Also they were all statistically significant increased in severe psoriasis compared to mild-tomoderate psoriasis ( p <0.05 ). Conclusions: These data support the view that serum TNF α, IL 2R and IL 6 are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, possibly by induction and maintenance of psoriatic lesion. We recommend a use of an array of these cytokines as a useful follow-up marker for monitoring of psoriatic patients and optimizing therapeutic strategies. Also we suggest the study of antisense therapy using the antibody of these cytokines in psoriatic patients. [New York Science Journal 2010;3(10):58-66]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).