title: Gene expression analysis of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone-proopiomelanocortin system in psoriasis skin biopsies.
abstract: The corticotrophin-releasing hormone-proopiomelanocortin (CRH-POMC) system in the skin coordinates pigmentation and the immune response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regulatory role of the neuroendocrine system in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Using quantitative real-time-PCR, mRNA expression levels of 15 genes related to the CRH-POMC system were measured in punch biopsies from lesional and non-lesional skin of patients with psoriasis and from skin of healthy control subjects. Statistically significant up-regulation of POMC, CRH receptor type 1, melanin-concentrating hormone receptor (MCHR1) and melanocortin receptors 2, 3 and 4 mRNA expression in lesional and in non-lesional skin compared with healthy control samples were established. Tyrosinase (TYR), T(Y)RP-1 and ASIP genes were statistically significantly down-regulated in lesional and non-lesional skin of psoriasis samples compared with healthy subjects. The up-regulation of POMC, melanocortin receptors, CRH receptor type 1 and MCHR1 in the lesional and non-lesional skin of psoriasis patients supports the importance of the local CRH-POMC system in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. Ulvi.loite@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ulvi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Loite
authors.forename: Külli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kingo
authors.forename: Ene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reimann
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reemann
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vasar
authors.forename: Helgi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Silm
authors.forename: Sulev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kõks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054366:Agouti Signaling Protein / Q000235:genetics; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000235:genetics*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin / Q000235:genetics; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C515182:ASIP protein, human; D054366:Agouti Signaling Protein; C103263:MCHR1 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C489799:TYRP1 protein, human; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase