Scientists have long believed that heart disease is linked to the presence of psoriasis in some way, but they have made a breakthrough recently with the identification of molecular pathways that trigger both heart disease and inflammation in psoriasis.
Similarities between Psoriasis and Heart Disease
Numerous cases have proven that the same overactive immune cells that cause the symptoms of psoriasis can also be present in the arteries, which can lead to stroke and heart attack.
One of the molecules that cause inflammation in patients with psoriasis is interleukin 6 (IL-6). It’s present in increased levels in patients who have psoriasis as well as in patients suffering from severe and fatal cardiovascular disease. Researchers hoped it was a solid link between psoriasis and heart disease, but after testing IL-6-blocking drugs, they found that psoriasis did not improve.
However, scientists now believe that the IL-6 molecule is not working alone to cause the diseases.
Molecules Working in Conjunction
The Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight published a study called Interleukin 6 Regulates Psoriasiform Inflammation-Associated Thrombosis, in which a team of researchers took a closer look at the protein MRP14. Like IL-6, the protein presented itself in larger volumes in both patients with psoriasis and those with heart disease.
Like IL-6, when researchers tried to block the molecule, the results were less than remarkable. The team blocked the molecule in mice and found that, again, psoriasis either made no change or became worse. However, they noticed something interesting: in addition to increased levels of IL-6 in the skin, molecules IL-23 and IL-17 also existed in large quantities.
After promising results in a study that tested the effect of IL-23 and IL-17 blocking, the team looked again at the IL-6 molecule in their study Induction Of Alternative Proinflammatory Cytokines Accounts For Sustained Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation In IL-17C IL-6KO Mice. Published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the study expounds on how the team found that the other inflammatory proteins compensated for the lack of IL-6 when blocked.
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| Psoriasis diagram. Source: nih.gov |
Looking for a Deeper Connection
The discovery of the molecular pathways that connect psoriasis and heart disease is only the beginning of the quest to find an effective and long-term treatment. Researchers must still investigate the ways that IL-6 affects the blood vessels and in what way the effect can lead to thrombosis. However, the new research opens the door to experimental treatments now that there is are clearer signs that psoriasis is linked to heart disease.
For patients who are currently suffering from psoriasis and are at increased risk for heart disease, drugs like Clobex can offer effective treatment for symptoms.
