Narrowband ultraviolet B interferes with gene expression in the peripheral blood T cells of patients with psoriasis

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis pathogenesis and development are closely related to abnormal T cell activity. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) treatment markedly improves skin lesions in psoriasis.

Objectives: To investigate differential gene expression in psoriasis and to understand the possible mechanisms of NB-UVB therapy for psoriasis.

Methods: The mRNA expression profiles and differentially expressed genes from peripheral blood T cells of psoriatic patients before and after NB-UVB treatment were examined using RNA sequencing and validated by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results: A total of 129 genes were differentially expressed in the peripheral blood T cells of psoriatic patients: 83 genes were downregulated and 46 were upregulated in psoriatic patients compared to those of healthy subjects. These genes were enriched in intracellular membrane-bound organelles, membrane-bound organelles and the nucleus, and are involved in the cell cycle, apoptosis, inflammation and other processes. These changes are reversed in psoriatic patients with good clinical outcomes following NB-UVB treatment.

Conclusion: NB-UVB treatment has beneficial effects on local psoriatic lesions, possibly due to its effect on peripheral blood T cell gene expression.