Little effect on p63 but significant effect on miR-21 and miR-125b by NB-UVB phototherapy on psoriatic lesions

• Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease in which dysregulation of p63, a member of the p53 family and crucial for skin development and maintenance, has been shown. Though currently incurable, many therapies are available including narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy. To further elucidate the role of p63 in psoriasis and increase our understanding of the mechanisms of phototherapy, we studied the effects of NB-UVB treatment on p63 expression. Expression of p53 was also studied due to its functional role in the response of skin to UV. In addition, we investigated expression of miR-203, miR-125b and miR-21, as these microRNAs are p63 and/or p53 regulators and their involvement in psoriasis pathogenesis has previously been suggested. Skin biopsies from 12 psoriasis patients were collected before, during and at the final session of phototherapy. Real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that epidermal p63 mRNA and protein levels were not significantly affected following phototherapy, whereas a significant increase in p53 mRNA expression and protein accumulation was found. NB-UVB treatment also significantly affected expression of miR-21 and miR-125b, whereas individual clinical improvement seemed related to p53 status only. Our results indicate that even though NB-UVB phototherapy causes diverse molecular changes, induction of p53 is pivotal for successful treatment of psoriasis, and unresolved p63 abnormality in the treated epidermis of psoriasis patients further indicate a role for p63 in psoriasis.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

psoriasis

epidermis

NB-UVB phototherapy

p63

p53

microRNA

Molecular medicine

Molekylär medicin

patologi

Pathology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)