Leukocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number is a potential non-invasive biomarker for psoriasis
Materah Salem Alwehaidah1, Suad AlFadhli1, Ghada Al-Kafaji2
1Faculty of Allied Health, Department of Medical Laboratory, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait.
Abstract:
Abnormalities in the mitochondria have been linked to psoriasis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is present in thousands of copies per cell and altered mtDNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), a common indicator of mitochondrial function, has been proposed as a biomarker for several diseases including autoimmune diseases. In this case-control study, we investigated whether the mtDNA-CN is related to psoriasis, correlates with the disease duration and severity, and can serve as a disease biomarker. Relative mtDNA-CN as compared with nuclear DNA was measured by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood buffy coat samples from 56 patients with psoriasis and 44 healthy controls. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the value of mtDNA-CN as a biomarker. We found that the mtDNA-CN was significantly decreased in patients with psoriasis compared to healthy controls (93.6±5.3 vs. 205±71; P = 0.04). Sub-group analyses with stratification of patients based on disease duration under or over 10 years and disease severity indicated that the mtDNA-CN was significantly lower in patients with longer disease duration (74±4.3 in disease duration >10 years vs. 79±8.3 in disease duration <10 years, P = 0.009), and higher disease severity (72±4.3 in moderate-to-severe index vs. 88.3 ± 6 in mild index, P = 0.017). Moreover, the mtDNA-CN was negatively correlated with the disease duration and disease severity (r = -0.36, P = 0.006; r = -0.41, P = 0.003 respectively). The ROC analysis of mtDNA-CN showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.98; P = 0.002) for differentiating patients from healthy controls. Our study suggests that low mtDNA-CN may be an early abnormality in psoriasis and associates with the disease progression. Our study also suggests that mtDNA-CN may be a novel blood-based biomarker for the early detection of psoriasis.
Insights
Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is significantly lower in psoriasis patients, correlating with disease duration and severity. This finding suggests mtDNA-CN may serve as a novel blood biomarker for early psoriasis detection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Mitochondrial abnormalities are implicated in psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
- Altered mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is a potential biomarker for autoimmune diseases.
- Investigating mtDNA-CN in psoriasis could reveal insights into disease mechanisms and diagnostic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if mtDNA-CN is related to psoriasis.
- To assess the correlation between mtDNA-CN and psoriasis duration and severity.
- To evaluate mtDNA-CN as a potential biomarker for psoriasis detection.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study design comparing 56 psoriasis patients and 44 healthy controls.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure relative mtDNA-CN in peripheral blood.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess biomarker value.
Main Results:
- Significantly decreased mtDNA-CN in psoriasis patients compared to controls (93.6±5.3 vs. 205±71, P=0.04).
- Lower mtDNA-CN associated with longer disease duration (P=0.009) and higher disease severity (P=0.017).
- Negative correlation found between mtDNA-CN and disease duration (r=-0.36, P=0.006) and severity (r=-0.41, P=0.003).
- ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.84 (P=0.002) for differentiating patients from controls.
Conclusions:
- Low mtDNA-CN may represent an early abnormality in psoriasis.
- mtDNA-CN levels associate with psoriasis progression and severity.
- mtDNA-CN shows potential as a novel blood-based biomarker for early psoriasis detection.
