Serotonin Expression in Psoriatic Skin
Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists
Vol. 18, No. 1, February 2007 Page 9- 15
Serotonin Expression in Psoriatic Skin
Soheir Abdel-Gaber*, Amira kamal El-Hawary** and Dina Eltantawy**
Departments of Dermatology, Andrology & STDs* and Pathology**, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis occurs in connection with stress. The wide variety of behavioural and physiological functions (e.g., in stress and mood) mediated by serotonin is reflected in at least 15 receptor subtypes. Despite the action of serotonin as a mitogen throughout the body and as an inflammatory mediator, there are only two studies which emphasize its role in pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Objective: Is to study the possible expression of serotonin in psoriatic lesions using immunohistochemical techniques.
Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used for detection of serotonin in 20 patients with psoriasis and in 10 control subjects.
Results: Positive serotonin expression was detected in 12/20 (60%) of psoriatic patients. There was no difference between plaque and guttate psoriasis as regard positive serotonin expression. There was no significant difference in mean PASI score between cases with positive staining and cases with negative staining. No expression of serotonin was found in normal skin.
Conclusion: Our results support the association of serotonin with psoriasis. Positive expression of serotonin in the epidermis might contribute to keratinocytes hyperproliferation and inflammatory response in psoriasis.
Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists
Vol. 18, No. 1, February 2007 Page 9- 15
Serotonin Expression in Psoriatic Skin
Soheir Abdel-Gaber*, Amira kamal El-Hawary** and Dina Eltantawy**
Departments of Dermatology, Andrology & STDs* and Pathology**, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis occurs in connection with stress. The wide variety of behavioural and physiological functions (e.g., in stress and mood) mediated by serotonin is reflected in at least 15 receptor subtypes. Despite the action of serotonin as a mitogen throughout the body and as an inflammatory mediator, there are only two studies which emphasize its role in pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Objective: Is to study the possible expression of serotonin in psoriatic lesions using immunohistochemical techniques.
Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used for detection of serotonin in 20 patients with psoriasis and in 10 control subjects.
Results: Positive serotonin expression was detected in 12/20 (60%) of psoriatic patients. There was no difference between plaque and guttate psoriasis as regard positive serotonin expression. There was no significant difference in mean PASI score between cases with positive staining and cases with negative staining. No expression of serotonin was found in normal skin.
Conclusion: Our results support the association of serotonin with psoriasis. Positive expression of serotonin in the epidermis might contribute to keratinocytes hyperproliferation and inflammatory response in psoriasis.