Expression of VEGF and CD34 in Psoriasis Vulgaris: Correlation with Histological Grading by Trozak Histological Assessment Score

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune mediated cutaneous disorder. Histologically it shows epidermal proliferation and neovascularisation in papillary dermis. Histological grading of psoriasis is done using Trozak Histological assessment Score (THS). Angiogenesis drives psoriasis. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Cluster of Differentiation (CD34)/Micro Vessel Density (MVD) are proangiogenic cytokines in psoriasis and are overexpressed in psoriatic skin when compared to normal controls.Aim: 1) To analyse and compare the IHC expression of VEGF and CD34/MVD in skin biopsies of psoriasis cases and controls; 2) To compare the expression of VEGF, CD34/MVD with histological grade done by THS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was done in the Department of Pathology at Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital between September 2020 to August 2021. Twenty five cases and 25 controls (normal skin) were included in this study. Histopathology/Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for VEGF and CD34 was performed. Suprabasilar layers of the epidermis were assessed for VEGF expression. Cell showing granular positivity within the PARTICULARS OF CONTRIBUTORS: