title: Increased expression of the Wnt signalling inhibitor Dkk-1 in non-lesional skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with plaque psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterised by abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, increased dermal angiogenesis and systemic inflammation. The cell signalling cascades provoked by Wnt proteins and their inhibitors, such as Dickkopf-1, play crucial roles to maintain homeostasis of a variety of tissues, including skin, and are also involved in angiogenesis and innate immunity. This study was designed to investigate the distribution of Dickkopf-1, in lesional and non-lesional skin, in serum and in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) of patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls. Our results showed significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of Dickkopf-1 in non-lesional compared with lesional skin and healthy control skin. No significant differences of Dickkopf-1 serum levels were observed, but Dickkopf-1 protein expression was significantly increased in patients' PBMC. Increased levels of Dickkopf-1 in PBMC, suggest a possible role of Dickkopf-1 in the chronic systemic inflammation of psoriasis. Increased levels of Dickkopf-1 in non-lesional psoriasis skin offers new insights in the local inflammatory processes in psoriasis skin since Wnt signalling regulates angiogenesis. In conclusion, Dickkopf-1 may be a possible target for future treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Ryhov Hospital, SE-55185 Jönköping, Sweden. oliver.seifert@lj.se.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Söderman
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skarstedt
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dienus
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matussek
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C501126:DKK1 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger