Korean J Dermatol.  2022 Sep;60(8):499-504.

Negative Correlation between CD163 Expression and Psoriasis Severity

• Seo BH
• Kim JS
• Cha DR
• Kim JH
• Choi YS
• Cha HJ
• Suh HS

Abstract

Background
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, wherein macrophages play a key role. An imbalance in transition from the classical activation (M1) to alternative activation (M2) phenotype in macrophages contributes to development of persistent inflammation. However, the role of M2 macrophages in disease severity of psoriasis is not yet elucidated.
Objective
This study was performed to investigate the expression of pan-macropahge marker cluster of differentiation (CD) 68 and M2 marker CD163 in lesional and non-lesional skin samples of patients with psoriasis and determine the relationship of their expression to the disease severity of psoriasis.
Methods
A retrospective study was performed using 21 lesional and 13 non-lesional skin samples from 21 patients with psoriasis. We reviewed the clinical information and evaluated CD68 and CD163 expression in 34 skin samples via immunohistochemical staining.
Results
Lesional skin showed significantly higher expression of CD68 and CD163 than non-lesional skin. Notably, CD163 expression was negatively correlated with clinical severity.
Conclusion
CD163-expressing M2 macrophages are associated with a low severity of psoriasis.

Keyword

CD163; Macrophages; Psoriasis