Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and CD-31 in psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory hyperproliferative skin disease. Increasing attention has been directed toward the role of skin microcirculation in its pathogenesis, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) implicated in angiogenesis and epidermal hyperplasia. Aims and Objectives: This study evaluated immunohistochemical expression of VEGF in psoriatic lesions and microvessel density (MVD) by CD31 expression in endothelial cells, correlating findings with clinical severity and histopathology. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Maulana Azad Medical College, over 18 months, including 25 clinically diagnosed psoriasis patients. Psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score and demographic data were recorded. Punch biopsies (6 mm) were obtained from lesional and perilesional skin; biopsies from 13 healthy individuals served as controls. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry with VEGF and CD31 antibodies were performed. MVD was assessed in neovascular hotspots, and VEGF positivity in keratinocytes was quantified. Statistical analysis used unpaired t-test and Pearson correlation, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: MVD was highest in psoriatic skin (mean 11.52±3.177), lower in perilesional and control samples. VEGF positivity ranged from 5% to 100% (mean 68.80), significantly higher in psoriatic plaques compared to perilesional skin. Conclusion: Elevated VEGF expression and increased MVD in psoriatic lesions highlight their role in disease pathogenesis. Targeted blockade of VEGF may represent a promising selective therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.