The investigation of the relation between VEGF, Fas, Fas L Gene polymorphisms and Serum VEGF, fas, fas l evels in patients with psoriazis

INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATION BETWEEN VEGF, FAS, FAS L GENE POLIMORPHISMS AND SERUM VEGF, FAS, FAS L LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASISPsoriasis is a chronic, multifactorial and inflammatory skin disease characterized by T-cell-mediated keratinocyte hyperproliferation. It is typically characterized by sharply demarcated erythematous plaques covered with silvery-white scales. Demographic and epidemiological studies such as family and twin studies, serological and genetic studies have clearly demonstrated that psoriasis is a polygenic and multifactorial disease. Purpose of the present study is to determine the prevalence of Fas-670 A/G and Fas L-844 T/C polymorphisms and to investigate the serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and FasL (sFasL), and also to find out any relationship between gene polymorphisms and serum levels in psoriatic patients. We also aimed at investigation of VEGF 936 C/T polymorphism, serum VEGF levels and their associations.A total of 50 patients treated (having systemic therapy), 69 patients untreated (not having systemic therapy) and also, a total of 140 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients were selected among the patients who were admitted to the Departments of Dermatology of Mustafa Kemal and Cukurova University hospitals.Each of the three polymorphism groups Fas -670 A/G, Fas L-844 T/C and VEGF 936 C/T were determined using PCR-RFLP method. Furthermore, the serum levels of sFas, sFas L and VEGF were measured in randomly selected 40 treated and 40 untreated patients and 40 healthy controls using micro ELISA method. The relationship between gene polymorphisms and serum levels were evalueted.In our study, there was no statistically significant difference between Fas -670 A/G, Fas L-844 T/C and VEGF 936 C/T polymorphisms in both the patient and control groups. But, soluble Fas and Fas L levels in both treated and untreated patients was significantly higher than that of controls. VEGF serum level in CT genotype was found significantly higher than in CC genotype.In our study, the gene polymorphisms of Fas-670 A/G, Fas L -844 T/C and VEGF-936 T/C are not found directly assosiated with the psoriasis. However, elevated sFasL and sFasL levels in psoriatic patients showed that these factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.Key words: Psoriasis, Fas, Fas L, VEGF, Polymorphism.