The effect of phototherapy on systemic inflammatory process in patients with plaque psoriasis

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Vol. 161; pp. 396 - 401
• Main Authors: Batycka-Baran, Aleksandra, Besgen, Petra, Wolf, Ronald, Szepietowski, Jacek C., Prinz, Joerg C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Elsevier B.V 01.08.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cytokines; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines - metabolism; Female; Humans; Inflammation - prevention & control; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - cytology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - radiation effects; Male; Middle Aged; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Phototherapy; Psoriasis; Psoriasis - metabolism; Psoriasis - therapy; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Systemic inflammation; Ultraviolet Rays; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Psoriasis; Cytokines; Systemic inflammation; Phototherapy
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.05.023

Psoriasis is a common, chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. The inflammatory process in psoriasis has systemic effects and may influence the development of psoriatic comorbidities. The systemic action of phototherapy in patients with psoriasis has been so far poorly elucidated. We aimed to investigate the expression of genes encoding selected psoriasis-related cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from patients with psoriasis before and after treatment with phototherapy. 17 patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis were treated with narrow band-UVB (NB-UVB), 8 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with bath-psoralen-ultraviolet A therapy (PUVA). PBMCs were isolated by Ficoll gradient density centrifugation. Expression of genes encoding TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-6, IL-1 β, INF-γ, and IL-10 in PBMCs of patients with psoriasis before and after phototherapy was analyzed with quantitative RT-PCR. Treatment with NB-UVB therapy led to a significant decrease in IL-17A, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNA levels in PBMCs (p=0.003; p=0.042; p=0.019, respectively). Following treatment with bath-PUVA therapy, we observed a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels in PBMCs (p=0.031, p=0.035, respectively). Treatment with phototherapy in patients with psoriasis may affect systemic inflammation by downregulation of the expression of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, implicated in the development of psoriasis and psoriatic comorbidities. •Systemic effect of phototherapy in patients with psoriasis is not fully elucidated.•NB-UVB and bath-PUVA affect systemic inflammation in psoriasis.•Phototherapy regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs.•NB-UVB decreases IL-17A, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNA levels in PBMCs in psoriatic patients.•Bath-PUVA decreases TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels in PBMCs in psoriatic patients.