Evaluation of Serum Progranulin Levels in Patients with Psoriasis: A Case-Control Study

Objectives: T cells, keratinocytes, dendritic cells, inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory effect of progranulin (PGRN) is known by inhibiting the effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF- alpha). We aimed to evaluate the PGRN levels and the factors affecting PGRN levels in patients with psoriasis. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 44 patients with psoriasis and 44 age- and sex- matched healthy controls. Serum PGRN levels were measured in all participants and compared between the two groups. PGRN levels were also evaluated in terms of demographic data, duration of disease, age of onset, previous treatments, smoking and drinking habits, PASI scores, and presence of nail and joint involvement in the psoriasis group. Results: Mean serum PGRN levels were significantly higher (10.70 +/- 2.56ng/ml) in the psoriasis group than in the control group (3.16 +/- 1.02ng/ml) (P < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between serum PGRN levels and clinical characteristics of psoriasis including the presence of joint and nail involvement, PASI scores, duration of disease, age of onset. Conclusions: In conclusion, psoriasis patients have elevated serum levels of PGRN irrespective of patient and clinical characteristics. To increase knowledge on the effect of PGRN in the pathogenesis of psoriasis can lead to new therapeutic options for the disease.