Angiopoietin-like protein 2 in psoriasis: a new linkage with metabolic syndrome

Angiopoietin-like 2 Protein and Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A New Biomarker for Disease Severity

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease whose pathogenesis is not fully understood at present. The role of proinflammatory cytokines, several adipokines, retinol-binding protein 4, angiopoietin-2 and other molecules has been previously reported. Angiopoietin-like 2 protein (ANGPTL2) is a glycoprotein belonging to the angiopoietin-like family that may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases. To our knowledge, the role of serum ANGPTL2 levels in HS has not been assessed to date. In the current case-control study, we aimed to investigate serum ANGPTL2 levels in HS patients and controls and to assess whether ANGPTL2 levels could be associated with the severity of HS. Ninety-four patients with HS and sixty controls of similar age and sex were included in the study. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data, as well as routine laboratory parameters and serum concentrations of ANGPTL2, were assessed in all participants. HS patients had significantly higher serum ANGPTL2 levels than controls after adjusting for confounders. Moreover, ANGPTL2 concentrations positively correlated with disease duration and severity. Our results indicate for the first time that serum ANGPTL2 concentrations are elevated in HS patients compared to controls and correlate with the duration of the disease. Besides, ANGPTL2 might serve as a biomarker of HS severity.

Are Programmed cell death protein-1 and Angiopoietins-2 effective biomarkers for detection the severity of psoriatic patients?

BACKGROUND

Early detection of psoriasis is still an open discussion. Psoriatic lesions are characterized by red/scaly plaques affecting different body-sites.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the levels of Programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1) and Angiopoietins-2(Ang-2) in serum,lesional and perilesional of psoriatic patients and correlating them with controls and disease severity.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Serum samples were obtained from 40 participants subdivided equally into psoriatic and healthy controls, 4mm punch_biopsy equally from lesional and perilesional skin of individuals. PD-1/ANG-2 ELISA kits were used for determining the serum and tissue levels among groups.

RESULTS

Serum and tissue levels of PD-1 and Ang-2 were overexpressed in psoriatic patients compared to controls. There was a statistical difference between patients and controls in level of PD-1(serum and tissue) with p-value 0.006 and 0.0001 respectively. There was a statistical difference between both groups for ANG-2(serum and tissue) with p-value 0.03 and 0.0001 respectively. There were positive correlations between PASI score and PD-1 in tissue (r=0.467, p=0.038). Also, positive correlation between the level of PD-1 in serum and tissue (r=0.369,p=0.019), the serum levels of PD-1 and ANG-2 (r=0.78,p>0.0001), PD-1 and Ang-2 in tissue (r=0.583,p=0.0001) were detected.

CONCLUSION

PD-1 and ANG-2 can be highly recommended to determine the severity of psoriasis.

Implications of narrowband ultraviolet B treatment on psoriasis severity and serum levels of angiopoietin-2: A cross-sectional controlled study

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory hyper proliferative skin disease. Angiogenesis play an important role in Psoriasis pathogenesis, occurring even before plaque formation. Angiopoietins play an important role in angiogenesis and hence are described as angiogenic factors.

AIMS

To evaluate serum levels of angiopoeitin 2 (Ang-2) following treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) in patients with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis and correlate it to psoriasis area and severity index (PASI).

PATIENTS/METHODS

This cross sectional study included 38 patients complaining of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and 38 healthy controls. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was determined and was correlated to serum levels of Ang-2 before and after treatment with NBUVB.

RESULTS

PASI scores and serum values of angiopoietin 2 demonstrated a significant difference between the baseline and at the end of the 12 weeks NBUVB treatment. A statistically significant positive correlation was established between psoriasis severity and Ang-2 serum levels before and after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated a potential contribution of Ang-2 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, as well as its usefulness as a biomarker of psoriasis severity.