Related Experiment Videos
Reduction of epidermal abnormalities and inflammatory changes in psoriatic plaques during treatment with vitamin D3
1Department of Dermatology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Vitamin D3 analogs interfere with various aspects of epidermal growth, inflammation, and cellular differentiation. Most data are derived from in vitro studies. In the present review, the in vivo effects of vitamin D3 analogues on the psoriatic plaque are discussed. Calcipotriol, tacalcitol, and calcitriol in ointment modulate aspects of epidermal growth, differentiation, and inflammation. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that the inflammatory changes might be more expressed after treatment with calcitriol and tacalcitol. Flow cytometric quantification of the percentage of cells in SG2M phase and of keratin 10-positive cells revealed that calcipotriol reduced both indices significantly during treatment of psoriatic plaques. Flow cytometric analysis of epidermal cell suspensions using triple labeling for epidermal proliferation, expression of keratin 10, and vimentin permits a quantitative assessment of DNA synthesis selectively in the basal cells of the epidermis, an estimation of the distribution of the basal and suprabasal compartments, and a quantification of the distribution of mesenchymal and nonmesenchymal cells. Using this approach, the interference of tacalcitol with growth control of basal cells was demonstrated. Remarkably, recompartmentalization of basal and suprabasal cells and mesenchymal and nonmesenchymal cells proved to be inconspicuous during this treatment.
Insights
Vitamin D3 analogs like calcipotriol, tacalcitol, and calcitriol impact skin cell growth and inflammation in psoriasis. Calcipotriol effectively reduced key markers of proliferation and differentiation in psoriatic plaques.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Dermatopathology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Vitamin D3 analogs are used to treat psoriasis, affecting epidermal growth, inflammation, and differentiation.
- Most existing data on their effects are from in vitro studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the in vivo effects of vitamin D3 analogues on psoriatic plaques.
- To quantitatively assess the impact of vitamin D3 analogs on epidermal cell growth and differentiation in psoriasis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on in vivo effects of vitamin D3 analogs in psoriasis.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of psoriatic plaques.
- Flow cytometric quantification of cell proliferation (SG2M phase) and keratin 10 expression.
- Flow cytometric analysis of epidermal cell suspensions using triple labeling for proliferation, keratin 10, and vimentin.
Main Results:
- Calcipotriol, tacalcitol, and calcitriol modulate epidermal growth, differentiation, and inflammation in psoriatic plaques.
- Calcipotriol significantly reduced markers of proliferation and keratin 10 expression in psoriatic plaques.
- Tacalcitol demonstrated interference with basal cell growth control, though recompartmentalization was inconspicuous.
Conclusions:
- Topical vitamin D3 analogs have measurable in vivo effects on psoriatic skin.
- Calcipotriol shows significant efficacy in reducing key cellular changes in psoriatic plaques.
- Further quantitative analysis reveals specific mechanisms of action for vitamin D3 analogs in psoriasis treatment.