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Self-sustaining pathological processes in skin psoriasis
1Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 123-4-63, Moscow 117513, Russia. canyon1@rol.ru
Medical Hypotheses
|October 18, 2008
Summary
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a likely cause of skin psoriasis (SPs), increasing during flare-ups and decreasing in remission. VIP triggers a self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation and skin cell growth characteristic of SPs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Clinical observations suggest a nervous system origin for skin psoriasis (SPs).
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is identified as a key neurotransmitter implicated in SPs pathogenesis.
- Elevated VIP levels correlate with SPs exacerbation, while decreased levels are observed during remission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as a potential etiological factor in skin psoriasis (SPs).
- To elucidate the mechanism by which VIP contributes to the pathological processes observed in SPs.
- To explore the interplay between VIP and other physiological factors in perpetuating SPs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of VIP levels in relation to SPs exacerbation and remission.
- Investigating the effects of VIP on keratinocyte proliferation, angiogenesis, and vasodilation.
- Examining the self-secretion and interleukin-6 (IL6)-mediated amplification of VIP release.
- Assessing the influence of elevated parathyroid hormone, aldosterone, and enkephalin on VIP secretion in SPs.
Main Results:
- VIP is the only neurotransmitter with extracellular levels that increase during SPs exacerbation and decrease in remission.
- VIP released from skin nerves induces keratinocyte hyperproliferation, angiogenesis, and vasodilation, contributing to SPs pathology.
- A vicious circle mechanism involving VIP and IL6 amplifies VIP secretion in psoriatic lesions.
- The VIP-driven mechanism is intensified by elevated levels of parathyroid hormone, aldosterone, and enkephalin found in SPs patients.
Conclusions:
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of skin psoriasis (SPs) by initiating and sustaining a cycle of inflammation and hyperproliferation.
- The findings explain associations between SPs and factors like HIV infection, stress, alcohol, smoking, and skin pigmentation.
- Understanding the VIP-mediated pathway offers potential therapeutic targets for managing skin psoriasis.
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