IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY PHENOTYPING OF CD103 T-CELLS IN PSORIATIC PATIENTS COMPARED TO NORMAL INDIVIDUALS

Nora Harfouch*, Fouz Hassan, Mohamad Adel Ismaiel, Ali Daoud and Allam Harfoush

ABSTRACT

Background: Current research on psoriasis primarily focuses on the critical role of T-cells and the effectiveness of inhibiting their activity through biologic therapies. Despite significant advancements, the underlying mechanisms behind the recurrent localization of psoriatic flares remain elusive. Materials And Methods: An observational prospective study was conducted at Tishreen University Hospital from December 2021 to December 2023. Skin biopsies were collected from psoriatic patients in remission from previously affected skin sites, and CD103 marker staining was performed to compare with healthy controls. Results: We enrolled 16 participants, including 8 patients with plaque psoriasis in remission phase and 8 healthy control, with a median age of 44 years, among whom 50% were male. There were significantly higher numbers of CD103 cells in the skin of psoriatic patients compared to healthy control(p-value<0.05). Conclusion: The persistence of CD103+ T cells within psoriatic lesions following remission emerges as a potential marker for the role of memory resident T cells. These cells may contribute to the localized reinitiation of inflammatory responses at previously affected sites, despite the current lack of knowledge regarding the specific factors that trigger their reactivation.

Keywords: Plaque psoriasis – cd103 – immunohistochemistry – biopsies – dermal – epidermal.