The histopathological landscape of the major psoriasiform dermatoses

Structure modification of luteolin and the influence of its derivatives on biological activities

Introduction

This research aims to synthesize luteolin derivatives from hemp seeds by means of chemical synthesis, improve the synthesis process, simplify the procedure, and increase the yield to obtain new luteolin derivatives. Additionally, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of hemp seed extracts and newly synthesized substances are tested to screen out substances with high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Methods

Using luteolin as the raw material, acetyl, propionyl, and butyryl groups are introduced into the molecular structure of luteolin. A one-pot synthesis method is employed to modify the hydroxyl groups at positions 5, 7, 3', and 4' to obtain six new luteolin acyl derivatives. The molar ratio of reaction conditions is 1:4. Pyridine (20 mL) is used as the solvent, and the reaction is carried out at 25°C and 110°C. Exploring the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of luteolin and its derivatives by establishing a psoriasis model.

Results

The products are separated and purified by column chromatography and recrystallization, and six new luteolin acyl derivatives were synthesized: namely, 7,3',4'-tri-O-acetylated luteolin (A), 7,3',4'-tri-O-propionylated luteolin (B), 7,3',4'-tri-O-butyrylated luteolin (C), 5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-acetylated luteolin (D), 5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-propionylated luteolin (E), and 5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-butyrylated luteolin (F). By establishing a psoriasis like mouse model, the results showed that luteolin and its derivatives have good therapeutic effects on inflammation and antioxidation.

Discussion

Six new acyl derivatives of luteolin were synthesized through structural modification, which improved their solubility and bioavailability. In the psoriasismodel, it has been proven that acyl derivatives of luteolin have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and have a relieving effect on psoriasis.Provide theoretical basis and potential treatment strategies for the future treatment of psoriasis.

Investigation of paeonol in dermatological diseases: an animal study review

Cortex Moutan is the root bark of the buttercup plant Paeonia suffruticosa Andr, of Ranunculaceae family. It has been utilized in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat a multitude of diseases, and traditional Chinese documents allege that it has heat-clearing, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and detoxicating properties. Paeonol is a bioactive substance extracted from Cortex Moutan, which is considered to be one of its most effective metabolites. Recent studies have illustrated that paeonol treatment can alleviate skin damage, relieve the inflammatory response in patients with numerous dermatological conditions, and inhibit anomalous proliferation of skin tissue. Accordingly, paeonol may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for a variety of skin conditions. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics (PK) characteristics of paeonol, and mechanisms of operation in diverse skin diseases, including dermatitis, psoriasis, pruritus, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, and hyperplasticscar. Additionally, much of the evidence is based on animal experiments. Furthermore, it explores the prospects of enhancing paeonol's efficacy through extraction, synthesis, and formulation innovations, as well as strategies to overcome its limitations in dermatological therapy. This review aims to provide a more reliable theoretical basis for the clinical application of paeonol.

Unveiling multifaceted roles of myeloid innate immune cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease occurring worldwide. Initially viewed as a keratinocyte disorder, psoriasis is now recognized to involve a complex interplay between genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and a dysregulated immune system, with a significant role of CD4+ T cells producing IL-17. Recent genetic studies have identified susceptibility loci that underscore the importance of innate immune responses, particularly the roles of myeloid cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. These cells initiate and sustain inflammation through cytokine production triggered by external stimuli. They influence keratinocyte behavior and interact with adaptive immune cells. Recent techniques have further revealed the heterogeneity of myeloid cells in psoriatic lesions, highlighting the contributions of less-studied subsets, such as eosinophils and mast cells. This review examines the multifaceted roles of myeloid innate immune cells in psoriasis, emphasizing their functional diversity in promoting psoriatic inflammation. It also describes current treatment targeting myeloid innate immune cells and explores potential new therapeutic strategies based on the functional characteristics of these subsets. Future research should focus on the detailed characterization of myeloid subsets and their interactions to develop targeted treatments that address the complex immune landscape of psoriasis.

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Is a Promising Marine Source Able to Alleviate Imiquimod-Induced Psoriatic Skin Inflammation

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory cutaneous disease characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and adipokine Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2). Recently, natural plant-based products have been studied as new antipsoriatic compounds. We investigate the ability of a leaf extract of the marine plant Posidonia oceanica (POE) to inhibit psoriatic dermatitis in C57BL/6 mice treated with Imiquimod (IMQ). One group of mice was topically treated with IMQ (IMQ mice) for 5 days, and a second group received POE orally before each topical IMQ treatment (IMQ-POE mice). Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score, thickness, and temperature of the skin area treated with IMQ were measured in both groups. Upon sacrifice, the organs were weighed, and skin biopsies and blood samples were collected. Plasma and lesional skin protein expression of IL-17, IL-23, IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α and plasma LCN-2 concentration were evaluated by ELISA. PASI score, thickness, and temperature of lesional skin were reduced in IMQ-POE mice, as were histological features of psoriatic dermatitis and expression of inflammatory cytokines and LCN-2 levels. This preliminary study aims to propose P. oceanica as a promising naturopathic anti-inflammatory treatment that could be introduced in Complementary Medicine for psoriasis.

Comparison of Histopathological Findings in Psoriasis According to the Lesion Location From Biopsy

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the histopathological findings of psoriasis varied by the biopsied lesion location. Age, gender, age at disease onset, lesion locations, presence or absence of a preliminary diagnosis of psoriasis, and histopathological findings of 307 patients were recorded. The sections prepared from the patients' paraffin blocks were reexamined microscopically, the severity of the observed findings was graded, and various histopathological features were recorded. The female-to-male ratio was 1.2 to 1. Family history for psoriasis was positive in 30% of patients. A clinically preliminary diagnosis of psoriasis was present in 232 patients. The most common histopathological features included hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, Munro/Kogoj microabscesses, suprapapillary thinning-hypogranulosis, and vascular dilation-capillary proliferation. Hyperkeratosis was least common in the trunk. A linear and moderately strong correlation was found between the histopathological findings of inflammation, capillary proliferation, and suprapapillary thinning. For the first time, the clinical and demographic features of psoriasis are evaluated and the severity of the histopathological findings is compared by the biopsied lesion location in a large number of patients.

Downregulation of Caveolae-Associated Proteins in Psoriasis: A Case Series Study

We have previously identified that a structural membrane protein Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is involved in the regulation of aberrant keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Cav1, Caveolin-2 (Cav2), and Cavin-1 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris and between psoriasis subtypes. We utilized human biopsies from validated cases of psoriasis vulgaris (n = 21) at the University of Miami Hospital and compared the expression of Cav1, Cav2, and Cavin-1 by immunohistochemistry staining with that in normal healthy age-/sex-/location-matched skin (n = 15) and chronic spongiotic dermatitis skin samples (as control inflammatory skin condition) and quantified using QuPath. Distinct subtypes of psoriasis included guttate, inverse, nail, plaque, palmoplantar, and pustular. All biopsy samples exhibited a trend toward downregulation of Cav1, with nail, plaque, and palmoplantar psoriasis exhibiting the most pronounced effects. Only nail and pustular psoriasis samples exhibited significant downregulation of Cav2 and Cavin-1, suggesting Cav1 to be the main caveolar contributor to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Together, these data support caveolae as pathophysiological targets in nail and pustular psoriasis, whereas Cav1 seems to be a general biomarker of multiple subtypes of psoriasis.

Updates on Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: A Scoping Review

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare, inflammatory papulosquamous skin disease with unknown exact etiology. Historically, PRP has been challenging to diagnose, especially during the acute phase, and to treat, due to its unclear pathogenesis. To better inform clinical practice, a literature review was conducted employing a broad search strategy to capture PRP-related published studies between January 1, 2012 to October 31, 2022. Two hundred twenty-one studies were identified, which were categorized into 9 themes: (1) potential causes and triggering factors, (2) comorbidities, (3) diagnostic difficulties, (4) genetics, (5) clinical manifestations and laboratory values, (6) treatment, (7) treatment-related adverse events, (8) quality of life, and (9) other. COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 vaccination, and malignancy were the most commonly reported potential triggering factors. Misdiagnosis is very common during the early acute stages. Pathogenesis and genetic studies have further implicated caspase recruitment domain family member 14 (CARD14) mutations in the development of familial PRP (Type V) and have underlined the overlap between psoriasis and PRP. To date, there are currently no specific and validated scoring systems or tools to assess the severity of PRP. While large, randomized trials are still lacking, biologic agents remain the most effective therapy.

The study of GSDMB in pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris

BACKGROUND

Gasdermin (GSDM) B is a member of the GSDM family, which is a protein that may be involved in the cell pyroptosis process and is associated with inflammatory diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation between GSDMB and psoriasis vulgaris.

METHODS

Skin lesions from 33 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 69 normal controls were collected. ELISA and Western blot were adopted to detect proteins. The HaCaT cell line was transfected with 3 sets of interfering sequence siRNA, and the mRNA and protein levels before and after the transfection were measured by qPCR and Western blot respectively, so as to establish a cell model with low GSDMB gene expression; the MTT method was used to detect cells viability, flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis.

RESULTS

The level of GSDMB protein in the skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was lower than that in normal skin tissues (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of the target gene in the siRNA-GSDMB-3 group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The proliferation of HaCaT cells was decreased by MTT method and flow cytometry, and the apoptosis rate was increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The expression level of GSDMB in psoriasis vulgaris lesion tissue is lower than that of normal skin tissue. The down-regulation of GSDMB expression can inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis. GSDMB may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis by affecting the differentiation of keratinocytes and the function of T cells.

The Use of Urea Cream for Hand Eczema and Urea Foam for Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasiform Dermatoses of the Scalp

PURPOSE

Urea as an ingredient in topical skin applications can aid skin integrity and hydration and have keratolytic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-pruritic effects. Skin conditions that urea-containing formulations have been utilized to treat include hand eczema/dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasiform dermatoses of the scalp. Two monocentric, simple blind, observational studies were carried out in healthy participants to examine the efficacy and safety of two urea-containing products in these skin conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Study 1 tested the actions of a commercially available 30% urea topical cream on hand eczema. The product was applied ≥2/day for 28 ±2 days. Transepidermal water loss, skin redness, skin hydration, and participant ratings of efficacy and qualities were assessed prior to first product application and on days 14 and 29. Study 2 tested the actions of a commercially available foaming product containing 10% urea on seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasiform dermatoses. The product was applied ≥2/day for 28 ±2 days. Desquamation index and surface occupied by squames, analysis of extracted squames, microscopic assessment of scalp photos and participant ratings of product efficacy and qualities was carried out prior to first product application and on days 14 and 29.

RESULTS

In Study 1 (n = 20 females), results showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in transepidermal water loss, with an increase in hydration level of the upper skin layers, and a decrease in skin redness. In Study 2 (n = 13 females, 7 males), product use led to significant (p < 0.05) decreases in desquamation measures and dryness. In both studies, the majority of participants "agreed" or "slightly agreed" that the product had good efficacy and was easy to apply. No adverse reactions were reported.

CONCLUSION

These findings point to the utility of urea in topically applied vehicles for hand eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasiform dermatoses.

Generalized pustular psoriasis is a disease distinct from psoriasis vulgaris: evidence and expert opinion

INTRODUCTION

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, severe, clinically heterogeneous disease characterized by flares of widespread, noninfectious, macroscopically visible pustules that occur with or without systemic inflammation, and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Historically, GPP has been classified as a variant of psoriasis vulgaris (PV, or plaque psoriasis); however, accumulating evidence indicates that these are distinct conditions, requiring different treatment approaches.

AREAS COVERED

In this perspective article we review evidence that supports the classification of GPP as distinct from PV.

EXPERT OPINION

The histopathologic and clinical appearance of GPP is distinct from that of PV and fundamental differences exist between the two conditions in terms of genetic causes and expression-related mechanisms of disease development. GPP results from dysregulation of the innate immune system, with disruption of the interleukin (IL)-36 inflammatory pathway, induction of inflammatory keratinocyte responses, and recruitment of neutrophils. PV is driven by the adaptive immune system, with a key role played by IL-17. Considering GPP as a separate disease will enable greater focus on its specific pathogenesis and the needs of patients. Many treatments for PV have insufficient efficacy in GPP and a therapeutic approach developed specifically for GPP might lead to better patient outcomes.