SIGNAL TRANSDUCER AND ACTIVATOR OF TRANSCRIPTION-3 (STAT3) AND PSORIASIS

Abstract

Background: The exact pathogenesis of psoriasis remains unclear. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) is a possible important link between keratinocytes and immunocytes during psoriasis evolution. Aims: To detect the state of STAT3 activation in both lesional and non-lesional skin of patients with psoriasis and to correlate the degree of STAT3 activation with the severity of psoriasis. Methods: The study included (30) psoriasis patients and (30) age and sex matched healthy control subjects. Skin biopsy was taken from a lesional and a non-lesional site for every patient. A single biopsy site was done for every control subject. Immunohistochemical staining using anti-STAT3 antibodies was done. Statistical analysis was performed to detect the relation between the strength of STAT3 staining reaction and PASI (psoriasis area severity index) score. Results: The strength of immune-staining reaction for STAT3 is statistically higher in lesional sites than the non-lesional ones among psoriasis patients. The strength of STAT3 activation is statistically higher in patients with higher PASI scores. Moreover, the non-lesional sites demonstrated a significant STAT3 activation in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 is upregulated in lesional than non-lesional skin in psoriasis patients and the degree of its activation parallels the PASI score. The non-lesional skin in psoriasis can show STAT3 activation indicating a possible pre-psoriasis state. Keywords: Psoriasis – signal transducer and activator of transcription – Janus kinase pathway – cytokine signaling. Abbreviations: STAT; Signal transducer and activator of transcription, PASI; Psoriasis area severity index, JAKs; janus kinases, IL; interleukin, TH; T-helper, DCs; dendritic cells, TNF-α; tumour necrosis factor alpha, SCID; severe combined immunodeficiency, CD; cluster of differentiation. …