Investigation of the relationship between atopy and psoriasis

MDM2 Is Essential to Maintain the Homeostasis of Epithelial Cells by Targeting p53

INTRODUCTION

MDM2 is known as the primary negative regulator of p53, and MDM2 promotes lung cancer fibrosis and lung injury through p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. However, the mechanism by which MDM2 influences the pathogenesis of asthma is unknown. In this study, we investigated the function of MDM2 in lung epithelial cells in type 2 lung inflammation.

METHODS

We used type II alveolar epithelial cell-specific heterozygous knockout of Mdm2 mice to validate its function. Then papain-induced asthma model was established, and changes in inflammation were observed by measuring immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTS

In this study, we knockdown the mouse Mdm2 gene in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells. We demonstrated that heterozygous Mdm2 gene-deleted mice were highly susceptible to protease allergen papain-induced pulmonary inflammation characterized by increased ILC2 numbers, IL-5 and IL-13 cytokine levels, and lung pathology. A mechanistic study showed that following the decreased expression of Mdm2 in lung epithelial cells and A549 cell line, p53 was overactivated, and the expression of its downstream genes p21, Puma, and Noxa was elevated, which resulted in apoptosis. After Mdm2 knockdown, the mRNA expression of inflammation-related gene IL-25, HMGB1, and TNF-α were increased, which further amplified the downstream ILC2 response and lung inflammation.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that Mdm2 maintains the homeostasis of lung epithelial cells by targeting P53 and regulates the function of lung epithelial cells under type 2 lung inflammation.

The Prevalence of Atopy in Biologically Treated Spondyloarthropathies: A Retrospective Study of 200 Patients

(1) Background: Recent data shed light on the association between atopic disorders (ADs) (atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis) and spondyloarthropathies (SpAs), underpinning the critical role of T helper (Th)1-Th17/Th2-T regulatory cells disbalance. We evaluated the prevalence of AD in axial SpAs (axSpAs) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and explored the potential association between atopic status, disease-related parameters, and biological therapy. (2) Methods: A monocentric, retrospective study was conducted that enrolled 200 patients taking biologics. Demographics, disease, and drug-related variables, along with a screening questionnaire focused on Ads, were systematically collected. (3) Results: Overall, 51 patients (25.5%) had atopy—namely, 24.4% of axSpA and 28% of PsA, with a higher frequency of rhinitis (43%) vs. atopic dermatitis (37.2%) or asthma (21.5%). We failed to demonstrate any statistically significant difference in demographics, SpA-related parameters excepting concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, and biologic drug exposure in patients with and without atopy (p > 0.05). However, significantly more non-atopic patients need only one TNF inhibitor (54%) vs. atopic patients (28%) (p < 0.05) to control active SpA. (4) Conclusions: We successfully demonstrated that AD is associated with one out of four SpA. Irrespective of the SpA subtype, atopic patients require more frequent switching among biologics, as significantly more non-atopic patients remain on their first anti-TNF.

Psoriasisarthritis (PsA) – retrospektive Datenanalyse einer Praxis-Kohorte und Schlussfolgerungen für Diagnostik und Therapie

Es wurden 40 Patienten mit Psoriasisarthritis (PsA) aus unserer Praxis nach dem Kriterium „Vorstellung in der Spezialsprechstunde Immundermatologie“ ausgewählt und einer retrospektiven Datenanalyse unterzogen. Entsprechend wurden nur vorhandene Angaben zu Krankheitsmerkmalen, -schwere und -verlauf, zu Therapien sowie zu Laborparametern ausgewertet, keine neuen oder ergänzenden nachträglich erhoben. Unsere Patientenkohorte wird charakterisiert durch epidemiologische Daten wie Geschlechtsverteilung (weiblich:männlich = 1,2:1), Alter (Mittelwert 52 Jahre), Erkrankungsdauer (23 Jahre, 5/40 Patienten mit Late-Onset-Erkrankung). In den meisten Fällen traten die Gelenkbeschwerden deutlich nach, bei nur wenigen Patienten zeitnah zu den Hautsymptomen, auf oder wurden dann bemerkt. Für die Diagnosestellung wurden die CASPAR-Kriterien und der DAPSA-Score verwendet. Die röntgenologische Diagnostik erwies sich als wenig hilfreich. Soweit möglich, wurde bei der Diagnosestellung und Therapieeinleitung mit Kollegen der Rheumatologie oder Kliniken zusammengearbeitet. Entsprechend der Vielzahl zur Verfügung stehender therapeutischer Optionen wurden verschiedene Substanzen eingesetzt und ein Therapiealgorithmus ausgearbeitet. In einigen Fällen wurde versucht, Therapieverläufe mittels DAPSA, PASI, NAPSI und DLQI zu objektivieren. Kasuistische Berichte aus der Kohorte veranlassten uns zur Analyse von Hinweisen auf Atopie (klinische Symptome, Labor- und Testparameter, entsprechende Therapien), wobei wir bei 12/40 Patienten mit PsA atopische Phänomene feststellten. Wir möchten mit dieser retrospektiven, klinischen Datenanalyse einen Beitrag leisten für ein gutes interdisziplinäres Management einer sehr komplexen und häufig schweren Erkrankung in unseren dermatologischen Praxen.

Can atopic eczema and psoriasis coexist? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Importance

Previous studies report both coexistence and mutual exclusivity of atopic eczema (AE) and psoriasis, but these have not been appraised systematically. Knowledge of such disease association throws light on disease mechanisms and may influence therapeutic choices.

Objective

To summarise evidence for AE and psoriasis occurring in the same person at the same point in time. Planned primary outcome was the incidence, prevalence or risk of psoriasis or eczema.

Methods

Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid Embase were searched from inception to 1st February 2020. The search strategy was built around the key terms ‘atopic eczema’, ‘psoriasis’ and ‘co‐existence’. Observational studies (cohort, case‐control, cross‐sectional and case‐series) with a minimum of 10 consecutive patients were included. There were no restrictions on participants, geography or language. Studies were selected, data extracted and critically appraised by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted on the method of diagnosis: health professional (dermatologist, criteria, other), self‐reported, not specified. Study quality was assessed using validated Joanna Brigg's Institute critical appraisal tools. A random‐effects model was used to combine studies. The effect of study quality on the pooled estimate was investigated using stratification. Heterogeneity was explored by subgroup analysis.

Results

This review included 31 studies and 20 523 individuals with psoriasis and 1 405 911 with AE. Eight studies reported the prevalence of AE in those with psoriasis and values ranged from 0.17% to 20%: the pooled prevalence was 2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1, 3). Seven studies reported the prevalence of psoriasis in those with AE and values ranged from 0.3% to 12.6%; the pooled prevalence was 2% (95% CI: 1, 3). Ten studies were assessed as low risk of bias. Geographical area, method of diagnosis, setting and whether the assessment of diagnosis was blinded, partly contributed to the heterogeneity.

Conclusions

This review provides some evidence for the coexistence of AE and psoriasis. Clinicians should be aware of coexistence at diagnosis, when selecting therapies and when reviewing poor response to treatment.

Total Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels in Patients with Psoriasis

Introduction

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disorder characterized by inflammation and abnormal epidermal proliferation. Its severity ranges from a chronic plaque psoriasis (CPP) to generalized psoriatic erythroderma (PE). The cause of psoriasis is unknown although most evidence supports the hypothesis that psoriasis is an immunologically mediated disease. The T-helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cells are responsible for the inflammation of psoriasis. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a class of immunoglobulin essential for the allergic response. There is some evidence that IgE may take a part in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Aim

The aim of the study was to compare serum levels of total IgE between patients with psoriasis and healthy subjects, and to assess the difference between localized form (CPP) and extensive form of disease (PE).

Methods

Seventy-five patients with psoriasis and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Data on age, gender, personal and family history, clinical type and duration of disease were collected and analyzed. Serum levels of IgE were measured using nephelometric method.

Results

Serum levels of total IgE were significantly higher in patients than in controls (46.7% vs.. 10%; p<0.05). Statistical difference of IgE concentration was also observed between CPP and PE. Comparison between patients and controls with regard to the median of the serum level of total IgE levels showed a statistically highly significant elevation in patients (425 IU/ml) compared with controls (54.5 IU/ml) (p<0,05). A higher total IgE concentration was observed in the group of patients with a longer period of skin changes. No relation was found between the serum level of IgE and family history of psoriasis, age or sex (p>0.05).

Conclusions

This study supports the evidence that elevation of total serum IgE is associated with psoriasis. The exact role of serum IgE in psoriasis should be additionally investigated in future studies.