Expression and correlation of HIF-1α, MIF, COX-2 and VEGF in psoriasis lesions

Psoriasis is a common chronic, inflammatory and proliferative skin disease that is widely associated with multiple factors under a polygenic background. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is associated with psoriasis; however, there have been no systematic studies analyzing the mRNA and protein levels in psoriasis vulgaris tissues. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mRNA and protein levels of these genes in psoriasis vulgaris tissues and assess their correlation. Tissue samples from 45 cases of psoriasis vulgaris lesions and 45 cases of normal skin were collected. The study used semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis to detect the mRNA and protein levels in the psoriatic lesions and normal skin tissue. The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1 alpha, MIF, COX-2 and VEGF were significantly higher in psoriasis vulgaris tissues compared with those in normal skin tissue, all P-values were <0.05. Additionally, the mRNA and protein levels in the psoriatic lesions were positively correlated with each other. In conclusion, these genes may have important roles in the development of psoriasis.