Study on Certain Biomarkers of Inflammation in Psoriasis Through "OMICS" Platforms

Niacin treatment prevents bone loss in iron overload osteoporotic rats via activation of SIRT1 signaling pathway

Recently, more and more studies have revealed that iron overload can lead to osteoporosis by inducing oxidative stress. Niacin (NAN), also known as nicotinate or vitamin B3, has been confirmed to possess potent antioxidative effects. In addition, very little is currently known about the protective effects of NAN on iron overload in osteoporotic bone tissue. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of niacin on iron overload-induced bone injury and to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of the niacin and iron overload on intracellular antioxidant properties. When MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells were cultured in the presence of ammonium ferric citrate(FAC), NAN therapy could increase the matrix mineralization and promote expression of osteogenic markers in MC3T3-E1, inhibit osteoclastic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells, while increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and strengthening mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, NAN had an obvious protective effect against iron-overloaded injury. Meanwhile, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), intracellular antioxidant enzymes and silent information regulator type 1 (SIRT1), were up-regulated in response to NAN exposures in MC3T3-E1. Furthermore, SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 attenuated the protective effects of NAN. Results revealed that NAN could stimulate osteogenic differentiation, inhibit osteoclastic differentiation and markedly increased antioxidant properties in cells through the induction of SIRT1. Studies suggest that niacin is a promising agent for preventing bone loss in iron overload conditions.

Unrevealing the connection between real sample analysis and analytical method. The case of cytokines

Cytokines are compounds that belong to a special class of signaling biomolecules that are responsible for several functions in the human body, being involved in cell growth, inflammatory, and neoplastic processes. Thus, they represent valuable biomarkers for diagnosing and drug therapy monitoring certain medical conditions. Because cytokines are secreted in the human body, they can be detected in both conventional samples, such as blood or urine, but also in samples less used in medical practice such as sweat or saliva. As the importance of cytokines was identified, various analytical methods for their determination in biological fluids were reported. The gold standard in cytokine detection is considered the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and the most recent ones have been considered and compared in this study. It is known that the conventional methods are accompanied by a few disadvantages that new methods of analysis, especially electrochemical sensors, are trying to overcome. Electrochemical sensors proved to be suited for the elaboration of integrated, portable, and wearable sensing devices, which could also facilitate cytokines determination in medical practice.

The protective effect of proanthocyanidins on the psoriasis-like cell models via PI3K/AKT and HO-1

Background

Inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) are important contributors to psoriasis pathogenesis. Proanthocyanidins (PCs) have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Previously, we discovered that PCs alleviated psoriasis-like mice symptoms, likely via mitigating inflammation and OS damage.

Objective

To elucidate the protective mechanism underlying PCs against the damage of TNF-ɑ-induced psoriasis-like cell models.

Methods

Psoriasis-like cell models were established with 7.5 ng/mL TNF-ɑ and then subjected to different-concentrations PCs treatment. Finally, inflammatory and oxidative parameters were determined. Besides, LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) and ZnPP (HO-1 inhibitor) were employed to investigate the roles of PI3K/AKT and HO-1 in PCs against psoriasis-like cell models.

Results

After TNF-α treatment, cells organized tightly and proliferated greatly (P<0.01); HO-1 expression dropped obviously, along with the increased OS/inflammatory indicators and the decreased antioxidants (P<0.05); consequently, psoriasis-like cell models were well established. In the presence of PCs, nevertheless, the proliferation rate and number of psoriasis-like cells evidently decreased (P<0.01), accompanied with enhanced HO-1 and antioxidants, and lowered OS/inflammatory indicators as well as phosphorylated JAK2/STAT3/PI3/AKT (P<0.01). Similar changes appeared after LY294002 pretreatment, regardless of PCs or not. But after ZnPP pretreatment with or without PCs, the opposite occurred.

Conclusion

The study reveals that PCs can suppress psoriasis-like cell proliferation and reduce inflammatory/OS damage through PI3K/AKT inhibition and HO-1 activation, thus promising a candidate for PCs in treating psoriasis.

Significantly Altered Serum Levels of NAD, AGE, RAGE, CRP, and Elastin as Potential Biomarkers of Psoriasis and Aging—A Case-Control Study

Background: This study aims to investigate potential markers of psoriasis and aging, and to elucidate possible connections between these two processes. Methods: The serum samples of 60 psoriatic patients and 100 controls were analysed, and the levels of four selected parameters (AGEs, RAGE, NAD, and elastin) were determined using commercial ELISA kits. Serum C-reactive protein was assayed using an immune-nephelometry method. Findings: Among the patients, the levels of CRP, AGEs, and RAGE were all increased, while the levels of NAD were reduced when compared to the control group. A negative correlation between the levels of AGEs and NAD was found. A negative correlation between age and the NAD levels among the control group was observed, however among the patients the relationship was diminished. While there was no difference in the levels of native elastin between the patients and the controls, a positive correlation between the levels of native elastin and age and a negative correlation between the levels of native elastin and the severity of psoriasis were found. Conclusions: The results of our study support the notion of psoriasis and possibly other immune-mediated diseases accelerating the aging process through sustained systemic damage. The serum levels of CRP, NAD, AGEs, and RAGE appear to be promising potential biomarkers of psoriasis. The decrease in the serum levels of NAD is associated with (pro)inflammatory states. Our analysis indicates that the levels of native elastin might strongly reflect both the severity of psoriasis and the aging process.

Electrochemical Biosensors for Cytokine Profiling: Recent Advancements and Possibilities in the Near Future

Cytokines are soluble proteins secreted by immune cells that act as molecular messengers relaying instructions and mediating various functions performed by the cellular counterparts of the immune system, by means of a synchronized cascade of signaling pathways. Aberrant expression of cytokines can be indicative of anomalous behavior of the immunoregulatory system, as seen in various illnesses and conditions, such as cancer, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration and other physiological disorders. Cancer and autoimmune diseases are particularly adept at developing mechanisms to escape and modulate the immune system checkpoints, reflected by an altered cytokine profile. Cytokine profiling can provide valuable information for diagnosing such diseases and monitoring their progression, as well as assessing the efficacy of immunotherapeutic regiments. Toward this goal, there has been immense interest in the development of ultrasensitive quantitative detection techniques for cytokines, which involves technologies from various scientific disciplines, such as immunology, electrochemistry, photometry, nanotechnology and electronics. This review focusses on one aspect of this collective effort: electrochemical biosensors. Among the various types of biosensors available, electrochemical biosensors are one of the most reliable, user-friendly, easy to manufacture, cost-effective and versatile technologies that can yield results within a short period of time, making it extremely promising for routine clinical testing.

Skin Barrier Function in Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis: Transepidermal Water Loss and Temperature as Useful Tools to Assess Disease Severity

Multiple diagnostic tools are used to evaluate psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) severity, but most of them are based on subjective components. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and temperature are skin barrier function parameters that can be objectively measured and could help clinicians to evaluate disease severity accurately. Thus, the aims of this study are: (1) to compare skin barrier function between healthy skin, psoriatic skin and AD skin; and (2) to assess if skin barrier function parameters could predict disease severity. A cross-sectional study was designed, and epidermal barrier function parameters were measured. The study included 314 participants: 157 healthy individuals, 92 psoriatic patients, and 65 atopic dermatitis patients. TEWL was significantly higher, while stratum corneum hydration (SCH) (8.71 vs. 38.43 vs. 44.39 Arbitrary Units (AU)) was lower at psoriatic plaques than at uninvolved psoriatic skin and healthy controls. Patients with both TEWL > 13.85 g·m⁻²h⁻¹ and temperature > 30.85 °C presented a moderate/severe psoriasis (psoriasis area severity index (PASI) ≥ 7), with a specificity of 76.3%. TEWL (28.68 vs. 13.15 vs. 11.60 g·m⁻² h⁻¹) and temperature were significantly higher, while SCH (25.20 vs. 40.95 vs. 50.73 AU) was lower at AD eczematous lesions than uninvolved AD skin and healthy controls. Patients with a temperature > 31.75 °C presented a moderate/severe AD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) ≥ 37) with a sensitivity of 81.8%. In conclusion, temperature and TEWL values may help clinicians to determine disease severity and select patients who need intensive treatment.

Epidermal barrier changes in patients with psoriasis: The role of phototherapy

BACKGROUND

Some skin diseases may modify epidermal barrier function. Psoriasis is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory disease that affects the epidermal barrier. Phototherapy is an option for treating psoriasis, but little is known about how epidermal barrier function is modified by phototherapy in psoriatic patients.

OBJECTIVES

(a) To compare skin homeostasis between involved and uninvolved skin in psoriatic patients with healthy controls (b) To evaluate changes in the epidermal barrier function in psoriatic patients treated with phototherapy.

METHODS

Sixty patients with plaque-type psoriasis and sixty gender and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Temperature, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), pH, elasticity, erythema and melanin index were measured using non-invasive tools in the healthy control and involved and uninvolved psoriatic skin before and after phototherapy.

RESULTS

Healthy controls had lower TEWL and erythema index and higher SCH than psoriatic patients, both at uninvolved psoriatic skin and psoriasis plaques. TEWL was higher at psoriasis plaques than at uninvolved skin (19.20 vs 11.57 g/h/m² ; P < .001). Following phototherapy, a decreasing trend was observed for TEWL, of 1.03 (SD 0.75) and 0.97 (SD 0.81) g/h/m² for uninvolved and involved skin respectively. SCH was significantly lower at psoriatic plaques than at uninvolved skin (7.32 vs 36.62Arbitrary Units [AU]; P < .001). SCH increased by 1.15AU (SD 0.26) on psoriatic plaques after the phototherapy session (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Psoriatic plaques showed epidermal barrier dysfunction compared to uninvolved skin and healthy controls. Phototherapy may improve epidermal barrier function in psoriatic patients. SCH increased after a phototherapy session on the psoriatic plaques.

The Skin Reservoir Model: A Tool for Evaluating Microdialysis Sampling of Large Biomarkers from Human Skin

Microdialysis is a well-established technique for sampling of small molecules from the human skin, but larger molecules are more difficult to recover. Consequently, sampling feasibility must be evaluated before microdialysis is used in vivo. This report presents a tool for estimating the recovery of large biomarkers from human skin by microdialysis, using previously frozen human skin specimens as reservoirs for biomarker reference solutions. Recovery of the following 17 biomarkers was assessed: CCL27/CTACK, CXCL1/GROα, CXCL7/NAP-2, CXCL10/IP-10, EGF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, MIF, TNF-α, TSLP and VEGF. The relative skin recoveries of 13/17 biomarkers were successfully determined in the range 4.0-18.4%. Sampling in the skin reservoir model was not associated with probe leakage, as fluid recovery was stable, at between 80% and 110%. Furthermore, the skin reservoir model enabled studies and optimization of different parameters known to affect biomarker recovery, including flow rate and perfusate composition.

Proanthocyanidins: novel treatment for psoriasis that reduces oxidative stress and modulates Th17 and Treg cells

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease that affects 2%-4% of the global population. Recent studies have shown that increased oxidative stress (OS) and T-cell abnormalities are central to the pathogenesis of this disease. The resulting reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces proliferation and differentiation of Th17/Th1/Th22 cells and inhibits the anti-inflammatory activities of regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg). Subsequent secretions of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and angiogenesis. Proanthocyanidins are a class of flavonoids from plants and fruits, and have various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic properties. Numerous reports have demonstrated therapeutic effects of proanthocyanidins for various diseases. Among clinical activities, proanthocyanidins suppress cell proliferation, prevent OS, and regulate Th17/Treg cells. Because the pathogenesis of psoriasis involves OS and T cells dysregulation, we reviewed the effects of proanthocyanidins on OS, Th17 and Treg cell activities, and keratinocyte proliferation and angiogenesis. Data from multiple previous studies warrant consideration of proanthocyanidins as a promising strategy for the treatment of psoriasis.

TRB3 is elevated in psoriasis vulgaris lesions and mediates HaCaT cells proliferation in vitro

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by abnormal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Overexpression of tribbles homolog3 (TRB3), which belongs to the tribbles family of pseudokinases, has been found in several human tumors and metabolic diseases, but its role in psoriasis has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of TRB3 in psoriasis and explore its roles in the proliferation of keratinocytes. Twenty-four patients with psoriasis vulgaris were recruited for the study. Diagnosis of psoriasis was based on clinical and histologic examinations. Immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) were performed to determine protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of TRB3 in psoriasis lesions. 5-Bromo-2-deoxyUridine (BrdU) incorporation assay were performed for cell proliferation. Cell cycle distribution was assessed by flow cytometry analysis. The levels of TRB3 is elevated in psoriatic lesions compared with psoriatic non-lesions. The HaCat cells expressed the TRB3 gene. We found TRB3 silencing to significantly inhibit HaCat cell proliferation. Furthermore, the specific knockdown of TRB3 slowed down the cell cycle at the gap 0/first gap phase. In conclusion, our data suggest that TRB3 is overexpressed in lesions of patients with psoriasis and may be involved in the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes. Therefore, TRB3 may be a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis.

Plasma total antioxidant capacity and peroxidation biomarkers in psoriasis

Systemic biomarkers of oxidative stress can be relevant for assessment of psoriasis severity, for prediction of the outcome of therapy and of the development of comorbidities. In this review we aimed to evaluate the relationship between plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and peroxidation biomarkers, as well as their association with dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation in psoriasis. The review of 59 case–control comparisons (from 41 studies) and 17 interventions (from 13 studies) suggests that peroxidation markers are more sensitive than TAC in the evaluation of oxidative stress in psoriasis. Although few studies investigated the effect of treatment on oxidative stress, it seems that biological drugs could be the better choice in the treatment of psoriasis. However, considering the limitations of TAC and plasma peroxidation markers, this review suggests that new methods should be developed in order to evaluate systemic oxidative stress in psoriasis.