Association between psoriasis severity and transforming growth factor β1 and β2 in plasma and scales from psoriatic lesions

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder with hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, that can be the result of insufficient inhibitory effect of transforming growth factors-beta (TGF-beta). The aim of this study was to evaluate an association between TGF-beta(1) and -beta(2) in plasma or scales from psoriatic lesions and the severity of the disease. TGF-beta concentrations were measured with an enzyme immunoassay in 41 patients with psoriasis. The mean plasma concentrations of TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(2) in patients were: 15.7 +/- 1.4 and 0.15 +/- 0.02 ng/ml respectively. It was also detectable in scales and varied from 24 to 1159 and from 0 to 2.95 pg/mg protein respectively. Plasma TGF-beta(1) correlated significantly with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Significant correlation was also demonstrated between TGF-beta(1) concentration in scales and sedimentation rate or the disease duration. There were no correlation between PASI and plasma TGF-beta(2), scales TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(2). The highest mean concentration of TGF-beta(1) in scales of patients with mild form of the disease (203 65 pg/mg protein) and the lowest in severe form (147 54 pg/mg protein) have been shown. These findings demonstrated association between PASI and plasma levels of TGF-beta(1), that should be considered as a possible indicator of psoriasis activity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.