title: Novel inflammatory markers in psoriasis vulgaris: vaspin, vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), and YKL-40.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease. Vaspin, vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (also known as YKL-40), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are inflammatory biomarkers. However, with the exception of hs-CRP, the role of these markers in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is yet to be elucidated. This study investigated vaspin, VAP-1, YKL-40, and hs-CRP levels in the serum of psoriatic patients and healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 56 patients suffering from psoriasis and 34 age-matched controls were included in the study. Vaspin, VAP-1, YKL-40, and hs-CRP serum levels were evaluated by ELISA. The psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was calculated in all psoriatic patients and patients were divided in two groups according to PASI <10 or ≥10.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum concentration of soluble vaspin was significantly lower in psoriatic patients compared to healthy controls (1.33±0.32 pg/mL, 1.72±0.39 pg/mL, respectively; P<0.001). The serum concentrations of soluble VAP-1 and hs-CRP were significantly higher in psoriatic patients compared to healthy controls (VAP-1: 2.05±0.46 pg/mL, 1.82±0.46 pg/mL, hs-CRP: 4.97±3.53 mg/L, 3.48±0.08 mg/L, respectively; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum concentration of soluble YKL-40 between psoriatic patients and the control group (1.37±0.55 ng/mL, 1.54±0.79 ng/mL, respectively; P>0.05). The mean PASI score was 9.1±8.2 in the patient group. A total of 36 patients had PASI<10 and 20 patients had PASI≥10. The serum concentration of vaspin was the only marker to exhibit a significant difference between the low and high PASI groups (1.40±0.27 pg/mL and 1.20±0.37 pg/mL, respectively; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that vaspin and VAP-1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and can be used as markers of the disease. Furthermore, vaspin levels may reflect the severity of disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey - arzuataseven@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ataseven
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kesli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D015843:Serpins / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; C507339:SERPINA12 protein, human; D015843:Serpins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C076668:AOC3 protein, human; D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)