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Apoptosis, P53 and Bcl‐2 expression in response to topical calcipotriol therapy for psoriasis
Author(s) -
ElDomyati Moetaz,
Barakat Manal,
AbdelRazek Rasha,
ElDin Anbar Tag
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03099.x
Subject(s) - calcipotriol , psoriasis , medicine , apoptosis , tunel assay , cancer research , immunology , dermatology , immunohistochemistry , biology , biochemistry
Background The histopathologic changes characteristic of psoriasis might be related to suppressed apoptosis. The P53 and Bcl‐2 proteins play a central role in the regulation of apoptosis. This study aimed to evaluate P53 and Bcl‐2 expression and apoptotic cells in the psoriatic skin before and after topical calcipotriol therapy. Methods Skin biopsies were obtained from nonlesional and lesional skin of 10 patients with generalized plaque psoriasis before and after treatment with topical calcipotriol ointment. The P53 and Bcl‐2 expression was evaluated using immunoperoxidase technique and apoptotic cells by the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase (TdT) mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Results After topical calcipotriol therapy, keratinocytes of psoriatic skin showed significant decrease of P53 ( P = 0.002) and increase of Bcl‐2 ( P = 0.01) expression. On the other hand lymphocytes showed significant decrease of Bcl‐2 ( P = 0.01). There were no apoptotic cells before treatment but after calcipotriol therapy, apoptosis was more detectable in keratinocytes than in lymphocytes. Conclusions The results of the study suggested that one of the actions of calcipotriol in psoriasis might be exerted through induction of apoptosis, especially of keratinocytes, through a P53‐independent pathway. Meanwhile, suppression of Bcl‐2 expression in lymphocytes may promote apoptosis of dermal lymphocytes leading to healing of psoriasis.