S. Aractingi

HLA-G: a shield against inflammatory aggression

Recent developments in the field of HLA-G research have revealed that, besides its involvement during pregnancy, HLA-G is expressed in peripheral tissues during pathological processes, such as viral infections, malignancies and organ transplantation. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the influence of HLA-G on the T helper (Th) cytokine balance (favoring Th2-type responses), and the expression of HLA-G during chronic, cutaneous inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. We propose a novel role for HLA-G as a tissue-protective molecule in inflammatory responses.

Fetal DNA in skin of polymorphic eruptions of pregnancy

BACKGROUND Polymorphic eruptions of pregnancy (PEP) are common cutaneous disorders of unknown origin that occur usually after week 34 of gestation. Since pregnancy is associated with peripheral-blood chimerism, particularly during the third trimester, we studied the role of fetal cells in the development of the skin lesions. METHODS We studied samples of skin from ten women with PEP who were carrying male fetuses and 26 women with normal skin or non-PEP skin disorders (13 carrying male and 13 carrying female fetuses). Epidermis and dermis were dissected from the samples, and the DNA was extracted. PCR with primers specific for the SRY gene was used to detect male DNA. FINDINGS Male DNA was detected in dermis or epidermis from skin lesions of six of the ten women with PEP. No male DNA was detected in any of the 26 women without PEP. INTERPRETATION Fetal cells can migrate to skin during gestation, where they seem to be associated with the development of cutaneous disorders of pregnancy.

What are the best outcome measures for assessing plaque psoriasis severity? A systematic review of the literature.

Background  A wide variety of scoring systems have been proposed to assess severity of psoriasis. Given its importance as a health issue both for patients and health care systems, it is critically important to evaluate the validity and reliability of existing outcome measures.

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: a systematic literature review.

Previous epidemiological studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in psoriasis patients, including metabolic syndrome, cigarette smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. An increase in CV morbidity and mortality attributable to psoriasis is still under question.

Carcinogenic risks of psoralen UV-A therapy and narrowband UV-B therapy in chronic plaque psoriasis: a systematic literature review.

Background  Oral 8‐methoxypsoralen–UV‐A (PUVA) and narrowband UV‐B (NB‐UVB or UVB TL‐01) are effective and widely used treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis. Although the role of PUVA therapy in skin carcinogenesis in humans with psoriasis has been clearly demonstrated, there is still controversy regarding the risk of skin cancer with NB‐UVB. Furthermore, there is no clear evidence about the maximum cumulative number of sessions not to be exceeded in a lifetime.

Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with plaque psoriasis: a systematic review of epidemiological studies.

Introduction  Many epidemiological studies have associated psoriasis with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, resulting from a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in psoriasis patients compared with unmatched controls. However, the results of epidemiological studies vary depending upon the populations studied. The aim of this systemic review was to evaluate the risk of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity in adults with plaque psoriasis. In addition, we assessed the relationship between the risk of cardiovascular risk factors and psoriasis severity.

What are the best outcome measures for assessing quality of life in plaque type psoriasis? A systematic review of the literature.

Background  The assessment of health‐related quality of life (QOL) is important in psoriasis. Despite this, among the wide variety of QOL questionnaires used in psoriasis, there is no consensus as to which is the best.

Methotrexate in psoriasis: a systematic review of treatment modalities, incidence, risk factors and monitoring of liver toxicity.

Background/Aim  To define practical use and to specify the ideal method for monitoring the liver toxicity of MTX in the management of psoriasis.

Adherence to topical treatment in psoriasis: a systematic literature review

Background  Treatment adherence has been recognized as an important issue in the management of chronic diseases such as psoriasis.

Assessment of risk of psoriatic arthritis in patients with plaque psoriasis: a systematic review of the literature.

Objective  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the patients with plaque psoriasis and to give recommendation for the diagnosis of PsA for dermatologists.