Examination of bcl-2 and p53 expressions and apoptotic index by TUNEL method in psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is characterised by hyperproliferation and by aberrant differentiation. Blockage of the normal apoptotic process is one of the factors implicated in the pathogenesis.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the apoptotic features by using TUNEL method and also bcl-2 and p53 expressions in psoriatic epidermis.


METHODS
Biopsies of 35 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 14 normal skin were evaluated. Apoptotic cells were detected using the dUTP nick-end labelling assay; bc1-2 and p53 expressions were assessed by using immunohistochemical techniques. A semi-quantitative grading system (HSCORE) was used for comparison.


RESULTS
Bcl-2 was strongly expressed in basal keratinocytes of normal skin, while no expression was observed in 13 (37.2%) of the psoriatic samples and it was weakly expressed in the spinous cell layer of 22 (62.8%) samples. Moderate p53 expression was observed in the psoriasis group, while it was weak in the control. The percentage of TUNEL positive cells were significantly increased in the psoriasis group (65+/-2.30) when compared with the control (32.84+/-7.16).


CONCLUSIONS
Apoptotic index besides bc1-2 and p53 expressions in psoriasis differ from normal epidermis. Down-regulation of bc1-2 is consistent with the dynamics of psoriasis but increased TUNEL positive cells and p53 expression has not been fully elucidated yet. Gündüz K, Demireli P, Vatansever S, Inanir I. Examination of bcl-2 and p53 expressions and apoptotic index by TUNEL method in psoriasis.
Gündüz
Kamer
K
School of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Turkey. turankamer@yahoo.com
Demireli
Peyker
P
Vatansever
Seda
S
Inanir
Isil
I
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53