Serum Midkine Levels in Patients with Psoriasis

Abstract

functioning in the developmental period of the fetus. It was first discovered in embryonic carcinoma cells with increased expression in early stages of differentiation.1 In adults, MK is expressed in limited sites such as epidermis, kidney, lymphocytes and gut.2 MK has critical function in development and repair mechanisms in normal cells as well as tumor growth, invasion and angiogenesis in cancer cells.3,4 Various studies have shown that tumor prognosis is worse in the patients with higher MK levels.5-7 Moreover, higher serum MK levels were detected in various inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, atherosclerosis and Turkiye Klinikleri J Dermatol. 2020;30(1):1-5