Gasdermin C (GSDMC) is Overexpressed in Psoriatic Tissue and Elevated in Psoriatic Serum: A Potential Marker of Cell Proliferation and Local Hypoxia in Psoriasis?

Abstract

Psoriasis is an important disease in dermatological practice and, despite many studies, its pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Gasdermin C (GSDMC; melanoma-derived leucine zipper-containing extranuclear factor, MLZE) is a member of the gasdermin protein family. The study enrolled 60 patients with active plaque-type psoriasis and 30 volunteers without dermatoses. GSDMC concentration was assessed in serum and urine samples of all participants using ELISA. GSDMC tissue expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The GSDMC concentration was significantly higher in serum of patients than in controls (p < 0.001). A urinary GSDMC/creatinine ratio was significantly lower in patients than in controls (p < 0.05). Psoriatic lesions exhibited a significantly higher expression of GSDMC than nonlesional patients’ skin or controls’ skin (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the GSDMC serum concentration and the age of patients (R = 0.31, p = 0.015) and a negative correlation between GSDMC and RBC (R = −0.37; p = 0.0038), HGB (R = −0.26; p = 0.047), and urea concentration (R = −0.36; p = 0.04). Our study shows the potential involvement of GSDMC in psoriasis. An increased serum GSDMC and a decreased urinary GSDMC/creatinine ratio could be considered noninvasive psoriasis biomarkers, especially of local hypoxia or cell proliferation.