Increased HIF-1 alpha immunostaining in psoriasis compared to psoriasiform dermatitides

Abstract

Background Expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) alpha can be linked to inflammation through reciprocal interactions with several cytokines. This finding is in accordance with the previously noted HIF-1 alpha overexpression in psoriatic lesional keratinocytes. Methods In this study we have employed a carefully selected panel of antibodies and quantitative morphometric analysis to compare HIF-1 alpha immunoreactivity in psoriatic biopsy samples vs. that in samples obtained from psoriasiform dermatitides. Results We found statistically significant HIF-1 alpha overexpression in psoriasis. Furthermore, we observed a previously unreported preferential localization of immunoreactive keratinocytes in the immediate vicinity of inflamed and elongated papillae. This pattern of immunoreactivity may partially account for the observed increase of HIF-1 alpha immunostaining in psoriasis. Conclusions Overall, our findings imply that possible novel therapeutic intervention(s) on the HIF-1 alpha pathway may offer another approach in controlling the inflammatory activity of psoriatic lesions. Ioannou M, Sourli F, Mylonis I, Barbanis S, Papamichali R, Kouvaras E, Zafiriou E, Siomou P, Klimi E, Simos G, Roussaki-Schulze A, Koukoulis G. Increased HIF-1 alpha immunostaining in psoriasis compared to psoriasiform dermatitides.