Expression of Angiogenic Factors in Psoriasis Vulgaris

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation, abnormal differentiation and inflammatory infiltration in the dermis. The dermal microvascular expansion associated with abnormal orientation and dilatation of capillaries in the biopsies of the psoriatic skin suggest that the disease is dependent on angiogenesis. Aim: To analyze and compare the immunohistochemical expression of angiogenic factors - Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and CD 34 in skin biopsies of psoriasis cases with control skin samples; and to correlate the expression of angiogenic factors with Psoriasis Area and Severity Clinical Index (PASI SCORE). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective case control study conducted over a period of 15 months. Thirty-two psoriasis cases and thirty control skin samples were included in the study. Skin biopsy specimen was taken from clinically diagnosed psoriasis cases who did not receive any treatment. The diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris was confirmed after microscopic examination. Immunohistochemical expression for VEGF, vWF and CD 34 was studied. Results: VEGF expression in epidermis was significantly higher in cases when compared to control skin (p