Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Dermatology and Venerology

Background: Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common, chronic, inflammatory, T-cell-mediated diseases. Both are multifactorial diseases with skin-barrier disruption, genetic, environmental and immunological factors contributing to their pathogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the TNF ligand superfamily. Previous studies suggested a role of TWEAK/Fn14 pathway in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. However, studies are quite limited with some controversial results. Objective: To further elucidate the role of TWEAK in psoriasis and AD and to explore its relation with clinical variables of both diseases. Methods: A case control study was conducted on 90 subjects; 30 patients with psoriasis, 30 patients with atopic dermatitis and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Skin biopsies were obtained from the lesional skin of patients and normal skin of controls to determine the level of tissue TWEAK (pg/mg) by ELISA. Results: TWEAK level was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis compared to controls. A statistically significant difference was found between the level of TWEAK in patients with psoriasis and those with AD, being higher in patients with psoriasis. TWEAK level showed a significant positive correlation with AD disease duration. Limitations: Limitations of this study are the exclusion of clinical types of psoriasis and AD, other than vulgaris type and adult AD, respectively and exclusion of paediatric patients

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