Differential gene expression in peripheral blood T cells from patients with psoriasis, lichen planus, and atopic dermatitis

Background Psoriasis, lichen planus (LP), and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common chronic inflammatory skin diseases mediated by immune responses. Objective We used RNA sequencing to investigate messenger RNA expression patterns in peripheral T cells of Chinese patients with psoriasis, LP, or AD and of healthy individuals. Methods After peripheral T-cell proliferation, messenger RNA expression patterns were investigated by RNA sequencing, and 6 randomly selected genes were verified by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results Six genes were down-regulated and 33 were up-regulated in these diseases. Gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment of genes involved in positive regulation of T-cell activation. Regulation of nuclear premessenger RNA domain containing 1B (RPRD1B) expression was enhanced in psoriasis. Limitations The role of hereditary factors in RPRD1B expression in T cells was not considered. Immunomodulators (thymopeptide, levamisole, BCG polysaccharide, nucleic acid injection, and transfer factor) were previously given to patients with psoriasis and LP, but not to patients with AD; the effects of these immunomodulators on gene expression is uncertain. Conclusion RPRD1B may be involved in T-cell activation in our Chinese psoriatic cohort, and may play a role in stimulating epidermal hyperproliferation.