Chronic plaque-type psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease, where alterations can be found at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) of the non-lesional (NL) skin and signs of systemic inflammation can also be detected. Periostin is also located at the DEJ, besides periostin is known to play a role in inflammatory and wound healing processes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the potential role of periostin in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Serum and skin samples were collected from untreated and systemically treated (ST) psoriatic patients (PS) and from healthy (H) volunteers. We found significantly increased serum periostin levels in PS patients, and it was the most prominent in ST-PS patients compared to H controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence staining results showed decreased periostin intensity at the lesional (L) DEJ. At the same time, non-lesional, never lesional (NEL) and L basal keratinocytes showed a strong periostin positivity, compared to H basal cells. This observation was confirmed by the elevated periostin expression of cultured NL keratinocytes compared to H keratinocytes using western blot. Previously lesional (PL) healed skin of ST-PS patients showed similarly higher periostin expression of basal keratinocytes in correlation with the increased serum periostin level of ST-PS patients. Moreover, periostin expression at the PL-DEJ was even more abundant compared to the L skin. Ex vivo wound healing model using healthy skin samples revealed increased periostin expression of basal keratinocytes at the wound edges at 24 hours post-wounding similarly to what was observed in NL, NEL, L and PL skin. The increase of periostin in PS keratinocytes indicate a stable wound healing phenotype present in cells at the DEJ. This could be a reflection of the abnormalities already described in the DEJ structure of the non-lesional psoriatic skin.

ESDR396 - The potential role of periostin in psoriasis

The scientific meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) is held yearly, usually in September. With an international attendance of more than 1000 skin scientists from around the globe, the four-day event includes short oral presentations from peer-reviewed abstracts, keynote lectures from international experts, sponsored symposia, satellite programs, educational events as well as an important focus on posters, networking and building collaborations amongst scientists. For more information about this year’s meeting visit our website.