Impact of Inflammatory Immune Dysfunction in Psoriasis Patients at Risk for COVID-19

Author(s):Show less -

Yendo, Tatiana Mina ^[1] ; Sato, Maria Notomi ^{[1, 2]} ; Branco, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo ^[2] ; Pietrobon, Anna Julia ^[2] ; Teixeira, Franciane Mouradian Emidio ^[2] ; Ramos, Yasmim alefe Leuzzi ^[2] ; Alberca, Ricardo Wesley ^[2] ; Valencio, Cesar Giudice ^[1] ; Arruda, Vivian Nunes ^[1] ; Romiti, Ricardo ^[1] ; Arnone, Marcelo ^[1] ; Hirayama, Andre Luis da Silva ^[1] ; Duarte, Alberto Jose da Silva ^{[1, 2]} ; Aoki, Valeria ^{[1, 2]} ; Orfali, Raquel Leao ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Dermatol, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Dermatol, Lab Dermatol & Immunodeficiencies LIM 56, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: VACCINES; v. 9, n. 5 MAY 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated dermatosis usually associated with comorbidities. Treatment varies from topicals to systemic drugs and data on susceptibility to viral infections in psoriatic patients are scarce. The objectives of this study were to analyze psoriatic patients on different therapies who were at risk for COVID-19 for seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2, pro-inflammatory cytokine profile, comorbidities and outcomes in order to unveil the immunological mechanisms involved in the anti-viral response in patients with psoriasis. Seventy-five patients with psoriasis were divided according to treatment: immunobiologics, methotrexate, topicals and acitretin. Twenty healthy controls were included. Plasma samples were collected for: IgG SARS-COV-2 (ELISA); IL-27, IL-29 and IL-18 (ELISA); and IL-1 beta, IL-17A, IL-6 and TNF (cytometric array). Seropositivity for SARS-COV-2 was detected in 24 out of 75 psoriasis patients and did not relate to COVID-19 symptoms and/or hospitalization, despite associated comorbidities. Psoriasis patients who were asymptomatic for SARS-COV-2 exhibited immune imbalance with high levels of IL-18, IL-17A and IL-6, and low levels of IL-27 compared to healthy controls. Psoriasis groups showed significant increased cytokine levels only in the group with immunobiologics. Despite immune deviations and lower IL-27, which has a potential antiviral impact, psoriatic patients did not exhibit complications related to COVID-19. An understanding of this kind of proinflammatory profile of psoriatic patients and of the lack of severe outcomes for COVID-19 is essential to establish novel therapeutic approaches and preventive measures, including with regard to the concomitance of viral infections. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/23211-0 - Evaluation of inflammasome profile in cutaneous lesions of adults with atopic dermatitis
• Grantee: Valeria Aoki
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants