Relation between endothelial progenitor cells and arterial stiffness in patients with psoriasis

Abstract

Patients with psoriasis are prone to premature atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that depletion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) is related to patients with psoriasis and can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Thirty-five plaque-type psoriasis patients (41.9 ± 5.5 years, 30 men) and 20 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Four subpopulations of EPC, namely, CD34(+) EPC, CD133(+) EPC, CD34(+) /kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR)(+) EPC and CD133(+) /KDR(+) EPC were measured by flow cytometry. Arterial stiffness in psoriasis patients was assessed by heart to ankle pulse wave velocity (haPWV), augmentation index (AI) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT). Patients with psoriasis had a lower level of CD34(+) EPC (7.85 ± 2.49% vs 6.26 ± 2.13%, P = 0.02) compared with healthy controls. In patients with psoriasis, level of CD34(+) EPC was negatively related with haPWV (r = -0.43 P = 0.01) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (r = -0.39 P = 0.02). Multivariate regression analysis further demonstrated that haPWV was independently associated with level of CD34(+) EPC. Each percentage decrease in CD34(+) EPC accounted for an increase in haPWV of +0.02 m/s. The result demonstrated that patients with psoriasis had reduced CD34(+) EPC compared with controls. Importantly, CD34(+) EPC was independently related with haPWV in these patients. This finding suggests that EPC reduction is associated with the development of arterial stiffness in patients with psoriasis.

Cardiovascular risk in patients with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis without a clinically overt cardiovascular disease: the role of endothelial progenitor cells

“…The causes of the disease are found in the disruption of complex interactions between keratinocytes, leukocytes as well as dendritic and epithelial cells [1,3]. An abnormal immune profile in patients with exacerbated psoriasis contributes to the impairment of the inflam- [16]. The determination of particles involved in the immune system and the mechanism of their cooperation in the development of psoriasis and CVD require further elucidation [16,17].…”

“…An abnormal immune profile in patients with exacerbated psoriasis contributes to the impairment of the inflam- [16]. The determination of particles involved in the immune system and the mechanism of their cooperation in the development of psoriasis and CVD require further elucidation [16,17].…”

“…Hou et al characterized mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells (BMCS) in patients suffering from auto-aggressive diseases [ 14 ]. Bone marrow cells secrete molecules that inhibit apoptosis, activate local stem cells of the heart and stimulate angiogenesis [ 15 ]. In patients with psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis BMCS present a reduced proliferative activity, secrete stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and IL-6 as well as low levels of TNF-α, IL-1, leukaemia inhibitory factor IL-3 (LIF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Patients with psoriasis have a reduced population of CD34+ EPC compared to healthy individuals. It has also been proven that a reduction in the EPC level in patients with psoriasis promotes the development of atherosclerosis [ 16 ]. The determination of particles involved in the immune system and the mechanism of their cooperation in the development of psoriasis and CVD require further elucidation [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Autoimmunity and autoimmune co‐morbidities in psoriasis

“…Although the prevalence is lower in Asian populations (Chinese 5·3–7·3%, Japanese 10·5% and Korean 11·2%), psoriatic arthritis significantly hampers patients’ daily lives . Additionally, psoriasis has significant co‐morbidity with systemic inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome, and these conditions are currently receiving increasing attention . In parallel, a plethora of inflammatory biomarkers are elevated in psoriasis …”