Changes in the Physicochemical Properties of Blood and Skin Cell Membranes as a Result of Psoriasis Vulgaris and Psoriatic Arthritis Development

Abstract

Psoriasis is accompanied by disturbed redox homeostasis, with systemic and local oxidative stress promoting the modification of basic components of cellular membranes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of development of psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis on the composition and physicochemical properties of skin cell membranes (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) and blood cells (lymphocytes, granulocytes and erythrocytes). Both forms of psoriasis are characterized by decreased levels and changes in the localization of membrane phospholipids, and an increased level of sialic acid as well as the lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde), which resulted in an increase in the zeta potential of skin cells and blood cells, with granulocytes and lymphocytes affected more than erythrocytes. Using theoretical equations and the dependence of the cell membrane surface charge density as a function of pH, it was shown that patients with psoriatic arthritis have a greater increase in the concentration of negatively charged groups on the membrane surface and reduced the value of the association constant with H⁺ compared to patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Therefore, it can be suggested that the physicochemical parameters of membranes, skin and blood cells, especially lymphocytes, can be used to assess the severity of the disease.

Keywords: blood cells; electrical properties; membrane composition; psoriasis; skin cells.

Figure 1

The sialic acid content in blood cells (erythrocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes) as well as skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) of patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n = 16) and psoriatic arthritis (n = 8) as well as healthy subjects (n = 8). Data points represent the mean ± SD; a—statistically significant differences vs. healthy subjects, p < 0.0001; b—statistically significant differences vs. healthy subjects, p < 0.05; x—statistically significant differences vs. patients with psoriasis vulgaris, p < 0.01.

Figure 2

The level of lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde (MDA)) in blood cells (erythrocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes) as well as skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) of patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n = 16) and psoriatic arthritis (n = 8) as well as healthy subjects (n = 8). Data points represent the mean ± SD; a—statistically significant differences vs. healthy subjects, p < 0.0001; b—statistically significant differences vs. healthy subjects, p < 0.001; c—statistically significant differences vs. healthy subjects, p < 0.01; d—statistically significant differences vs. healthy subjects, p < 0.05; x—statistically significant differences vs. patients with psoriasis vulgaris, p < 0.05

Figure 3

The surface charge density (left axis) and corresponding zeta potential (right axis) of keratinocyte (A) and fibroblasts (B) cell membrane of patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n = 16) as well as healthy subjects (n = 8). Data points represent the mean ± SD.

Figure 4

The surface charge density (left axis) and corresponding zeta potential (right axis) of erythrocyte (A), lymphocyte (B) and granulocyte (C) cell membranes of patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n = 16) and psoriatic arthritis (n = 8) as well as healthy subjects (n = 8). Data points represent the mean ± SD.