Vitamin D Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vitamin D, including details on sources, melanin, benefits, deficiency, supplements, calcium absorption.

Apoptosis, P53 and Bcl-2 expression in response to topical calcipotriol therapy for psoriasis.

El-Domyati M, Barakat M, Abdel-Razek R, El-Din Anbar T

Department of Dermatology, Al-Minya University Hospital, Al-Minya, Egypt. m_domyati@hotmail.com

BACKGROUND: The histopathologic changes characteristic of psoriasis might be related to suppressed apoptosis. The P53 and Bcl-2 proteins play a central role in the regulation of apoptosis. This study aimed to evaluate P53 and Bcl-2 expression and apoptotic cells in the psoriatic skin before and after topical calcipotriol therapy. METHODS: Skin biopsies were obtained from nonlesional and lesional skin of 10 patients with generalized plaque psoriasis before and after treatment with topical calcipotriol ointment. The P53 and Bcl-2 expression was evaluated using immunoperoxidase technique and apoptotic cells by the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase (TdT) mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. RESULTS: After topical calcipotriol therapy, keratinocytes of psoriatic skin showed significant decrease of P53 (P = 0.002) and increase of Bcl-2 (P = 0.01) expression. On the other hand lymphocytes showed significant decrease of Bcl-2 (P = 0.01). There were no apoptotic cells before treatment but after calcipotriol therapy, apoptosis was more detectable in keratinocytes than in lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggested that one of the actions of calcipotriol in psoriasis might be exerted through induction of apoptosis, especially of keratinocytes, through a P53-independent pathway. Meanwhile, suppression of Bcl-2 expression in lymphocytes may promote apoptosis of dermal lymphocytes leading to healing of psoriasis.

Published 2 May 2007 in Int J Dermatol, 46(5): 468-74.
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