Assessment of the Role of NO Synthase Genes Polymorphisms in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis

Aims: Psoriasis is a common (affecting 2% of the general population) chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by impaired keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation. Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most potent vasodilators synthesized in large quantities at the early stages of wound response, as well as in inflammation. Psoriasis has been shown to be associated with increased NO content in pathological tissues. The objective of this study was to analyze two single-nucleotide substitutions in the NOS2 (rs2779249, c.-1290G>T, 5’-region) and NOS3 (rs2070744, c.-813C>T, intron 1) genes.

Methodology: The study was performed on DNA samples obtained from 88 patients diagnosed with psoriasis and 365 control samples (population-based control). Real-time PCR with allele-specific probes for genotyping was used.

Results: No associations with the disease were observed for the evaluated substitutions (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: No associations of NOS2 (rs2779249) and NOS3 (rs2070744) with disease were observed. It is expected that their effect will be more noticeable in combination with other substitutions in these genes or a larger sample. It is also possible that overactive regulation of NO synthase expression in psoriasis is independent of the studied gene polymorphisms.