Upregulation of the sFas/sFasL system in psoriatic patients

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease. Recent investigations indicate its autoimmune pathogenesis. Apoptosis plays an important role in the development of many autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of topical treatment of psoriasis on soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas-ligand (sFasL).

Serum concentrations of sFas and sFasL were measured using ELISA in 40 psoriatic patients before and after topical treatment with dithranol and compared to the values obtained from 16 healthy subjects. Data were analyzed with respect to severity of psoriasis, duration of the disease and coexisting obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

We found that serum levels of sFas before (11.9±2.4ng/mL) and after treatment (12.2±2.5ng/mL) were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis as compared to the control group (6.4±1.8ng/mL). Concentrations of sFasL did not differ significantly from healthy subjects, but increased after treatment. The sFas/sFasL ratio was significantly higher in psoriasis (128±47) than in the control group and, even though it tended to decrease after treatment, it still remained higher than in the control group (65±22). Additionally we observed a positive correlation of sFas/sFasL ratio with the age of patients and duration of the disease. Psoriatic patients suffering from hypertension and overweight had significantly higher sFas/sFasL ratio than other psoriatic patients.

Our data indicate upregulation of the sFas/sFasL system in psoriatic patients. We demonstrate association of sFas/sFasL with commorbidities - components of metabolic syndrome.