The effect of adalimumab on the vasculature in psoriatic skin lesions

AbstractBackground: Vascular proliferation is considered an important feature in psoriasis. Early psoriatic changes are characterized by vascular network expansion; healing of the lesions ultimately results in a decreasing size of the vascular network. Currently, the response of the vasculature in psoriatic lesions during treatment of adalimumab is still obscure.Objective: To investigate the response of the vasculature in psoriatic lesions during adalimumab treatment, using parameters such as endothelial cell proliferation, vascular network size and alternations in vessel diameter.Methods: The endothelial cell response (endothelial cell proliferation rate, vascular network size and vessel diameter) was studied, using an immunohistochemical double-staining of Ki67/CD31, in subsequent biopsies of psoriatic lesions from 10 patients treated with adalimumab at baseline, 10 days and 16 weeks after initiation of treatment.Results: In active psoriatic skin the endothelial cell proliferation ratio is high and an i...