Objective: To explore the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the onset of psoriasis.
Methods: The intensity and site expression of VEGF in 34 psoriatic lesions and skin samples of 21 normal controls were observed by immunohistochemistory from December 2011 to May 2013. And the serum levels of VEGF in 70 psoriasis vulgaris and 39 normal controls were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: The expression of VEGF in psoriatic lesions was much higher than that in normal controls (χ(2) = 13.34, P < 0.01) . The serum level of VEGF in psoriasis vulgaris was higher than that in normal controls ( (501 ± 13) vs (413 ± 5) ng/L, t = 2.32, P < 0.01). The serum level of VEGF in psoriasis vulgaris with PASI score >10 was higher than that with PASI score ≤ 10 ( (530 ± 18) vs (451 ± 8) ng/L, t = 2.18, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: VEGF may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.