CD200/CD200 receptor axis in psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory multisystem disease with imbalance between the Th17 and T regulatory sub-populations. CD200/CD200R is an anti-inflammatory/immune-suppressive axis that might contribute to its pathogenesis given its relation to the Tregs induction. The current study aimed to investigate the status of the CD200/CD200R axis in the blood of psoriasis vulgaris patients versus healthy controls. METHODS: In this comparative cross sectional study, the blood levels of sCD200 and CD200R levels were measured in 25 psoriasis vulgaris patients and an age and sex matched 25 healthy controls using ELISA and flow-cytometry respectively. Their levels were tested for correlation to disease severity. RESULTS: sCD200 was significantly higher while CD200R was significantly lower in psoriasis vulgaris patients than in controls. They did not correlate to each other or to psoriasis severity although they differed significantly among cases of different severities. CONCLUSION: Aberrant expression of CD200/CD200R might play a role in psoriasis vulgaris pathophysiology and disease severity. It might constitute a future target of therapy, but cannot be used as a marker of disease severity.

Evaluation of autologous adipose-derived stem cells vs. fractional carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of post acne scars: a split-face study.

BACKGROUND: Scarring is a distressing outcome of acne, as it causes cosmetic and psychological problems to the patients. Unfortunately no single treatment is satisfactory; instead, employing multiple modalities may have better outcome. Autologous adipose tissue-derived adult stem cells (AT-ASCs) and their secretory factors can stimulate collagen synthesis; angiogenesis and migration of fibroblasts thus regenerate damaged tissues. Also, conventional treatments for acne scarring, such as lasers and topical regimens, induce new collagen synthesis via activation of dermal fibroblasts or growth factors. The aim of the study was to verify the effectiveness of AT-ASCs for the treatment of acne scarring vs. the fractional carbon dioxide laser (FxCR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Split face comparative study included 10 adult patients with post-acne scars on both sides of the face. One side received AT-ASCs single injection while the other received three sessions of FxCR. Scars were then assessed using the global scoring system Goodman and Baron, scar area percent using NIH ImageJ software and functional assessment by measuring the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration. Both sides were followed for three months. RESULTS: A significant improvement in the degree of scar severity, scar area percent, skin hydration, and TEWL after 3 months of treatment on both sides of the face with insignificant differences between both treatment modalities, provided that AT-ASCs treatment was employed once vs. three sessions of FxCR. CONCLUSION: One injection of AT-ASCs is as effective as three sessions of FxCR in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.