GABA and GABA(A) receptor expression on immune cells in psoriasis: a pathophysiological role.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which pruritus is a common symptom. Pruritus may be associated with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. The distribution of GABA and its GABA(A) receptor (R) was studied in involved and non-involved psoriatic skin, as well as normal healthy control skin, using an immunohistochemistry technique. Pruritus was determined using a visual analog scale. Inflammatory cells immunoreactive for the GABA ligand and the GABA(A) R were increased (P < 0.01, respectively) in the involved skin. Cells stained for GABA ligand were mostly macrophages with some lymphocytes, while cells stained for GABA(A) R were macrophages, neutrophils or lymphocytes. There was a positive correlation when comparing GABA ligand (P = 0.05) and GABA(A) R (P < 0.05) expressing inflammatory cells, with pruritus. The GABA ligand and its GABA(A) R may play a role for the pathogenesis of psoriasis as well as for pruritus in this disease.
Nigam
Rishi
R
Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. rishi.nigam.805@student.ki.se
El-Nour
Husameldin
H
Amatya
Beni
B
Nordlind
Klas
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011537:Pruritus; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid