Identification of key apoptosis-related genes and immune infiltration in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Attenuated effects of topical vinpocetine in an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis

Psoriasis is an uncontrolled, long-lasting inflammatory dermatosis distinguished by thickened, erythematous, and flaky skin lesions. Massive amounts of inflammatory cytokines are produced when immune system imbalances are driven by genetic and environmental triggers. Vinpocetine (VNP), a man-made analogue of the compound vincamine found in the dwarf periwinkle herb, has robust anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidative effects; alleviates the epidermal penetration of immune cells, such as eosinophils and neutrophils; and abolishes the generation of pro-inflammatory molecules.

Objective

This study was aimed at exploring the effects of long-term topical VNP, both alone and co-administered with clobetasol propionate, in an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasiform dermatitis.

Methods

The study protocol consisted of 48 Swiss albino mice, randomly divided into six groups of eight mice each. In group I, petroleum jelly was administered daily for 8 days. In group II, imiquimod was administered topically at 62.5 mg daily for 8 days. In groups III, VI, V, and VI, 0.05% clobetasol propionate, 1% VNP, 3% VNP, and 3% VNP plus 0.05% clobetasol were administered topically for an additional 8 days after the induction, thus resulting in a total trial length of 16 days.

Results

Topical VNP at various doses alleviated the severity of imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions-including erythema, silvery-white scaling, and thickening-and reversed the histopathological abnormalities. Moreover, imiquimod-exposed animals treated with VNP showed markedly diminished concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, including tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-17A, IL-23, IL-37, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and transforming growth factor-β1.

Conclusion

This research provides new evidence that VNP, alone and in combination with clobetasol, may serve as a potential adjuvant for long-term management of autoimmune and autoinflammatory skin diseases, particularly psoriasis, by attenuating psoriatic lesion severity, suppressing cytokine generation, and limiting NF-κB-mediated inflammation.

Identification and verification of three autophagy-related genes as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of psoriasis

Psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form of the four clinical types. However, early diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris is difficult due to the lack of effective biomarkers. The aim of this study was to screen potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of psoriasis. In our study, we downloaded the original data from GSE30999 and GSE41664, and the autophagy-related genes list from human autophagy database to identify differentially expressed autophagy-related genes (DERAGs) by R software. Then Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for DERAGs. DERAGs were validated by the other four databases (GSE13355, GSE14905, GSE6710, and GSE55201) to screen biomarkers with high diagnostic value for the early diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris. Finally, DERAGs were verified in our clinical blood samples by ELISA. A total of 12 DERAGs were identified between 123 paired non-lesional and lesional skin samples from patients with psoriasis vulgaris. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated the TORC2 complex was more enriched and the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was mostly enriched. Three autophagy-related genes (BIRC5, NAMPT and BCL2) were identified through bioinformatics analysis and verified by ELISA in clinical blood samples. And these genes showed high diagnostic value for the early diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris. We identified three autophagy-related genes (BIRC5, NAMPT and BCL2) with high diagnostic value for the early diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris through bioinformatics analysis and clinical samples. Therefore, we proposed that BIRC5, NAMPT and BCL2 may be as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris. In addition, BIRC5, NAMPT and BCL2 may affect the development of psoriasis by regulating autophagy.

Impact of maternal psoriasis on adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is a dearth of robust evidence regarding the correlation between psoriasis with maternal and neonatal outcomes, making it challenging to establish definitive recommendations for the management of these patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review the evidence with regard to the impact of maternal psoriasis on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA guideline, a systematic search of English articles using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library was conducted. The search was performed from inception to 22nd of May 2022.

RESULT

A significant association was observed between psoriasis and maternal outcomes, including cesarean delivery [OR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.13-1.30, p-value = 0.001)], (pre)eclampsia [OR = 1.29 (95% CI: 1.15-1.44, p-value = 0.0001)], gestational diabetes [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.23 (95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 1.15-1.30, p-value = 0.001)], gestational hypertension [OR = 1.31 (95% CI: 1.18-1.45, p-value = 0.001)] and preterm birth [OR = 1.22 (95% CI: 1.10-1.35, p-value = 0.001)]. Also, there was a significant association between psoriasis and neonatal outcomes, including small for gestational age [OR = 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02-1.11, p-value = 0.053)], low birth weight [OR = 1.19 (95% CI: 1.02-1.38, p-value = 0.001)] and stillbirth [OR = 1.27 (95% CI: 1.04-1.55, p-value = 0.023)].

CONCLUSION

Maternal psoriasis could negatively impact maternal and neonatal outcomes. Our results strengthen the importance of close monitoring of the mothers' psoriasis status before and during pregnancy.