Activator protein 1 DNA binding activity is decreased in lesional psoriatic skin compared with nonlesional psoriatic skin.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common benign skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. The transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) is known to play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate AP-1 DNA binding activity in psoriatic skin.
METHODS: Keratome biopsies were taken from patients with plaque-type psoriasis. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to determine the AP-1 DNA binding activity, whereas Western and Northern blotting was used to determine Jun and Fos protein and mRNA expression.
RESULTS: We found that AP-1 DNA binding activity was almost completely abolished in lesional psoriatic skin compared with nonlesional psoriatic skin. Furthermore, experiments revealed that the protein and mRNA expression of the AP-1 subunits c-Fos, Fra-1 and c-Jun was reduced in lesional psoriatic skin compared with nonlesional psoriatic skin, whereas the protein and mRNA expression of the subunit JunB was increased. Topical application of the vitamin D analogue calcipotriol under occlusion to involved psoriatic skin for 4 days resulted in an increase in AP-1 DNA binding activity, and an increase in the protein and mRNA expression of c-Fos, Fra-1 and c-Jun, together with a decrease in JunB protein and mRNA expression.
CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results suggest that the activity of the transcription factor AP-1 is impaired in lesional psoriatic skin and that this impairment may be important for the disturbed epidermal growth observed in psoriasis.