Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which pruritus is a common symptom. Pruritus may be associated with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. The distribution of GABA and its GABAA receptor (R) was studied in involved and non-involved psoriatic skin, as well as normal healthy control skin, using an immunohistochemistry technique. Pruritus was determined using a visual analog scale. Inflammatory cells immunoreactive for the GABA ligand and the GABAA R were increased (P < 0.01, respectively) in the involved skin. Cells stained for GABA ligand were mostly macrophages with some lymphocytes, while cells stained for GABAA R were macrophages, neutrophils or lymphocytes. There was a positive correlation when comparing GABA ligand (P = 0.05) and GABAA R (P < 0.05) expressing inflammatory cells, with pruritus. The GABA ligand and its GABAA R may play a role for the pathogenesis of psoriasis as well as for pruritus in this disease.
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The present study was supported by a grant from the Welander/Finsen foundation. The technical assistance of Mrs. Anna-Lena Kastman is gratefully acknowledged.
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Nigam, R., El-Nour, H., Amatya, B. et al. GABA and GABAA receptor expression on immune cells in psoriasis: a pathophysiological role. Arch Dermatol Res 302, 507–515 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-010-1052-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-010-1052-5