INVESTIGATING THE LINK BETWEEN SKIN CD103+ MEMORY CELLS AND THE SEVERITY OF PSORIASIS
Nora Harfouch*, Fouz Hassan, Mohamad Adel Ismaiel, Ali Daoud and Allam Harfoush
ABSTRACT
Background: Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) represent a subpopulation of memory T cells garnering significant attention in contemporary psoriasis research. These cells exhibit the unique capacity to persist within psoriatic skin even during periods of disease remission. This persistence has led researchers to posit a pivotal role for TRMs in the cyclical recurrence of psoriasis. TRMs are hypothesized to contribute to the complex immunopathogenesis of the disease, thereby positioning them as a potential therapeutic target for novel treatment strategies. Materials and methods: a prospective observational study conducted at Tishreen University Hospital between December 2021 and December 2023, the severity of psoriasis was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Skin biopsies were obtained from previously psoriatic lesions to evaluate the density of CD103+ cells within the epidermis and dermis using immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, correlations between CD103+ cell counts and PASI scores were analyzed. Results: Eight participants with healed psoriasis were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 44 years. The gender distribution was balanced, with 50% of participants being male. A significant correlation was observed between PASI scores and epidermal CD103+ cell counts. Conclusion: The extent of infiltration with CD103 cells in the epidermis of psoriasis is linked to the severity measured with PASI.
Keywords: Psoriasis – cd103 – memory cells – PASI – severity.
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