The Analysis of Epidermal Proteins in Patients with Psoriasis by Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis

Lee, Dong Hoon; Lee, Kwang Hoon; Park, Yoon Kee

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by circumscribed, erythematous, thick plaques covered by silvery white scales. Although many researchers are working hard on the topic, we are still in search of its exact pathophysiology. Proteomics is a new emerging field of research for understanding cell physiology and pathophysiology of diseases, based on the protein measurement by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by the protein identification and characterization by mass spectrometry. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the specific epidermal proteins in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: We compared the proteome maps obtained from uninvolved and involved psoriatic epidermis by isoelectric focusing in 3-10 non-linear immobilzed pH gradients strips and two- dimensional electrophoresis. RESULTS: The significant differences in protein expressions between two groups were found as evidenced by many increased or decreased protein spots. We found that 15 spots showed changes in the involved psoriatic epidermis as compared to the uninvolved psoriatic epidermis. Protein spots with 6.8 kDa/pI 7.3, 6.9 kDa/pI 6.9, 7.3 kDa/pI 7.8, 8.8 kDa/pI 6.6, 11.5 kDa/pI 6.7, 11.6 kDa/pI 6.9, 13.1 kDa/pI 5.9, 13.2 kDa/pI 6.1, 13.8 kDa/pI 5.6, 15.2 kDa/pI 5.9, 48.3 kDa/pI 4.8, 49.7 kDa/pI 4.8, 49.9 kDa/pI 4.9, 29.7 kDa/pI 7.3 were increased in 100% of involved psoriatic epidermis and protein spots with 70.9 kDa/pI 5.3 decreased in 80% of involved psoriatic epidermis as compared to uninvolved psoriatic epidermis. CONCLUSION: The significant changes in many protein spots were observed in involved psoriatic epidermis as compared with uninvolved psoriatic epidermis. The proteomics in psoriasis may be helpful for the understanding its pathophysiology and treatment.