Changes in mononuclear cell subsets in capillary and venous blood of patients with psoriasis depending on the treatment

Abstract

Topical glucocorticoids are conventionally used to treat psoriasis, but such treatment provides a short-term effect, and may cause various complications during long-term usage. A detailed study of the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis has made it possible to use bioengineered drugs that block the main cytokines. It has been shown that IL-36 plays an important regulatory role in pathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of the study was to study therapeutic effect of patients with psoriasis using topical glucocorticoid hormone versus IL- 36 receptor antagonist (RAIL-36), with respect to clinical course of psoriasis and the subsets of mononuclear cells in venous and capillary blood taken close to the focus of inflammation. 16 patients with psoriasis (group 1a) received 0.1% mometasone cream for 14 days; 20 patients of group 1b received a gel containing 0.4% recombinant RAIL-36 for 14 days. Control group included 20 healthy adults. Treatment efficacy was assessed by PASI, DISHS and DLQI indices. 19 lymphocyte subsets and 3 monocyte subsets were assessed by four-color staining of whole capillary and venous blood with erythrocyte lysis using BD Biosciences (USA) technologies and reagents. It was shown that both drugs led to a decrease in the severity of the disease at the end of treatment. However, 2 weeks after the end of treatment in group 1a, the disease indexes nearly returned to the initial values. Meanwhile, the reduced index levels persisted 2 weeks later in group 1b. Significant deviations (more pronounced in capillary blood) were revealed for the levels of several leukocyte subsets in the psoriasis patients compared with healthy persons. As a result of treatment, we have revealed some changes in the levels of leukocyte subsets common to the two groups, and special differences for the two treatment options, that were more pronounced in capillary blood samples. Both medical preparations used are suitable for treatment of psoriasis.