Differential gene expression in peripheral blood T cells from patients with psoriasis, lichen planus, and atopic dermatitis.

Background: Psoriasis, lichen planus (LP), and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common chronic inflammatory skin diseases mediated by immune responses.

Objective: We used RNA sequencing to investigate messenger RNA expression patterns in peripheral T cells of Chinese patients with psoriasis, LP, or AD and of healthy individuals.

Methods: After peripheral T-cell proliferation, messenger RNA expression patterns were investigated by RNA sequencing, and 6 randomly selected genes were verified by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Six genes were down-regulated and 33 were up-regulated in these diseases. Gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment of genes involved in positive regulation of T-cell activation. Regulation of nuclear premessenger RNA domain containing 1B (RPRD1B) expression was enhanced in psoriasis.

Limitations: The role of hereditary factors in RPRD1B expression in T cells was not considered. Immunomodulators (thymopeptide, levamisole, BCG polysaccharide, nucleic acid injection, and transfer factor) were previously given to patients with psoriasis and LP, but not to patients with AD; the effects of these immunomodulators on gene expression is uncertain.

Conclusion: RPRD1B may be involved in T-cell activation in our Chinese psoriatic cohort, and may play a role in stimulating epidermal hyperproliferation.