Oxidation Reduction is a Key Process for Successful Treatment of Psoriasis by Narrow-band UVB Phototherapy

Abstract

Narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy is commonly used for treatment of psoriasis, though the mechanisms underlying its efficacy have not been completely elucidated. We used gene expression profiling to characterise gene expression in lesional epidermis from psoriasis patients in the middle and late stages of NB-UVB phototherapy. Increased melanogenesis gene expression was the earliest response to phototherapy. At the end of treatment, genes responding to phototherapy and correlated to treatment outcome were involved in oxidation reduction, growth and mitochondria organisation. Particularly, SPATA18, a key regulator of mitochondrial quality, was significantly down-regulated in psoriasis (p<0.05). Poly(dA:dT) and poly(I:C) stimulation increased SPATA18 level in primary keratinocytes, indicating the importance of mitochondria quality control under innate immune induced oxidative stress. Normalised SPATA18 expression after phototherapy indicates improved mitochondrial quality control and restored cellular redox status. Our data suggest that oxidation reduction is critical for the resolution of psoriatic plaques following NB-UVB phototherapy.