Immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in psoriatic patients

Abstract

Introduction Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by aberrant differentiation and excessive growth of keratinocytes, with dermal and epidermal mixed leukocytic infiltrate and angiogenesis in the dermis. Oxygen consumption could be increased by the proliferation of cells, and impaired oxygen supply might occur from the thickening of the epidermis. A primary role in the maintenance of oxygen and energy homeostasis is hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Several gene expression-encoding inflammatory proteins are stimulated by HIF-1. The pathogenesis of various forms of inflammation shows the involvement of hypoxia. Aim This immunohistochemical study was done to evaluate the role of HIF-1α in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 20 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, and 10 healthy individuals as a control group. They underwent hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining detection of HIF-1α expression. Results Regarding the correlation between HIF-1α expression and clinical parameters of the patients, there was a statistically significant positive correlation with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Conclusion In this study, there was significantly increased HIF-1α expression in psoriatic patients’ skin in comparison with normal control, and also its increase with elevated Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score might represent new promising therapeutic approaches and pharmacological research target for psoriasis treatment.