Excessive angiogenesis associated with psoriasis as a cause for cardiovascular ischaemia

Abstract

Psoriasis, a common disease affecting 2-3% of the UK population, produces significant impairment of quality of life and is an immense burden on sufferers and their families. Psoriasis is associated with significant cardiovascular co-morbidity and the metabolic syndrome. Angiogenesis, a relatively under-researched component of psoriasis, is a key factor in pathogenesis of psoriasis and also contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well established mediator of pathological angiogenesis which is upregulated in psoriasis. It is possible that, in patients with psoriasis, cutaneous angiogenesis may be both a marker for systemic vascular pathology and a novel therapeutic target. In this viewpoint paper the role of VEGF mediated angiogenesis as a cause for cardiovascular events in patients with psoriasis is explored.

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