Profiling of Toll-like Receptors and Related Signaling Mediators in the Pathogenesis of Morphea

Hilal Ayvaz Celik; Nilgün Gürbüz; Ergin Turantepe; Mücahit Seçme; Yavuz Dodurga

doi:10.5826/dpc.1404a219

Profiling of Toll-like Receptors and Related Signaling Mediators in the Pathogenesis of Morphea

Authors

Hilal Ayvaz Celik Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye
Nilgün Gürbüz Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye
Ergin Turantepe Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye
Mücahit Seçme Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Türkiye
Yavuz Dodurga Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye

Keywords:

Morphea, localized scleroderma, Toll-like receptors, TLR, Growth factors

Abstract

Introduction: Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is a rare fibrosing inflammatory disease of unknown pathogenesis.

Objectives: Although the genetic basis for morphea is important, the evaluation of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in this disease is quite limited. We aimed to evaluate TLR expression levels and serum IL-6, IL-17A, TGF-b1, FGF, and VEGF levels in patients with morphea, and compare these results with healthy controls.

Methods: The expression levels of TLRs in the lesional and non-lesional adjacent skin of patients with morphea, and normal skin of healthy controls were evaluated by RT-PCR whereas serum levels of IL-6, IL-17A, TGF-b1, FGF, and VEGF were evaluated by ELISA.

Results: Based on our findings, TLR1 gene expression increased 34.3-fold in the lesional skin of patients with morphea. In addition, IL-6, IL-17A, TGF-β, FGF and VEGF were found to be higher in the blood samples of the patient group than in the healthy group.

Conclusion: TLRs are important parts of the pathogenesis of morphea, and a better understanding of it will lead to more directed and effective treatments. We believe that this study will be important for pioneering TLR-targeted therapeutic approaches in the treatment of morphea in the future.

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