Examination of bcl-2 and p53 expressions and apoptotic index by TUNEL method in psoriasis

Gündüz K.; Demireli P.; Vatansever S.; Inanir I.

Examination of bcl-2 and p53 expressions and apoptotic index by TUNEL method in psoriasis

Date

2006

Authors

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is characterised by hyperproliferation and by aberrant differentiation. Blockage of the normal apoptotic process is one of the factors implicated in the pathogenesis. Objective: To determine the apoptotic features by using TUNEL method and also bcl-2 and p53 expressions in psoriatic epidermis. Materials and methods: Biopsies of 35 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 14 normal skin were evaluated. Apoptotic cells were detected using the dUTP nick-end labelling assay; bc1-2 and p53 expressions were assessed by using immunohistochemical techniques. A semi-quantitative grading system (HSCORE) was used for comparison. Results: Bcl-2 was strongly expressed in basal keratinocytes of normal skin, while no expression was observed in 13 (37.2%) of the psoriatic samples and it was weakly expressed in the spinous cell layer of 22 (62.8%) samples. Moderate p53 expression was observed in the psoriasis group, while it was weak in the control. The percentage of TUNEL positive cells were significantly increased in the psoriasis group (65±2.30) when compared with the control (32.84±7.16). Conclusion: Apoptotic index besides bc1-2 and p53 expressions in psoriasis differ from normal epidermis. Down-regulation of bc1-2 is consistent with the dynamics of psoriasis but increased TUNEL positive cells and p53 expression has not been fully elucidated yet. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2006.