Liver fibrosis is associated with cutaneous inflammation in the imiquimod-induced murine model of psoriasiform dermatitis

Summary

Background

Psoriasis associates several extra-cutaneous manifestations. Little is known about hepatic parameters specifically associated with psoriasis.

Objective

To study whether psoriasiform dermatitis is associated with liver injury.

Methods

We studied liver parameters of inflammation and fibrosis in a murine model of psoriasiform dermatitis induced by topical application of imiquimod for nine weeks.

Results

Topical treatment with imiquimod induced a form of psoriasiform dermatitis reminiscent of the human disorder, characterized by thickened and scaly skin, psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia, altered keratinocyte differentiation, and cutaneous overexpression of interleukin-17A. Mice with dermatitis displayed hepatitis, as shown by elevation of plasma transaminase levels, as well as portal and periportal hepatitis characterized by T lymphocyte (CD3ε⁺) and polymorphonuclear cell (Gr1⁺) infiltrates. The hepatitis progressed toward liver fibrogenesis, as shown by excessive Sirius red staining, consistent with the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin by hepatic stellate cells.

Conclusions

These results indicate that liver inflammation and fibrosis is associated with experimental psoriasiform dermatitis. Our results suggest that psoriatic inflammation may be associated with specific liver injury.

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