The Expression of VEGF in HaCaT Cell Induced by Pressure and Its Role in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin disease characterized by recurrent erythematous skin plaque. Psoriatic lesion of patients exibits hyperproliferation of epidermis, a variable inflammatory cell infiltrate, and abnormalities of the papillary dermal blood vessels. Expansion of the dermal microvasculature and increased expression of VEGF in keratinocytes are prominent features of psoriasis. The normal appearing skin of psoriatic patients may respond to an injury with the appearance of a psoriatic lesion. It has been demonstrated that trauma or pressure on the skin develop psoriasis from normal appearing skin of psoriatic patients and temporary obligation of the vessels prevented the `Koebner phenomenon'. These clinical observations indicate the importance of the vascular compartment in the initiation of the psoriatic lesion. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between expression of VEGF and pressure in the development of Koebner phenomenon. METHOD: Metal sinker (10g) was added to the cultured HaCaT cells for 24 hours and the expression of VEGF was checked by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: HaCaT cells pressured by metal sinker showed increased expression of VEGF compared to control cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that pressure probably induces the Koebner phenomenon through VEGF-induced angiogenesis.