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Abstract Psoriasis is considered to be polygenetically influenced, immunemediated, organ-specific disease of dysregulated inflammation that is triggered by environmental factors such as infections, medications and physical and / or emotional stress. Psoriasis impairs patients’ physical and psychological wellbeing, leading to reduced health-related quality of life and work productivity. Platelets are well known to facilitate clotting of blood to produce hemostasis and thrombosis, but lately several reports have suggested that platelets also affect induction and maintenance of inflammatory reactions. The PF4 is one of the best known platelet chemokine, which is released from α-granules following activation of platelets and is therefore considered to be a platelet activation marker. The PF4 attracts and stimulates leukocytes and further activates other platelets. Platelet activity can be determined by measurement of plasma level of platelet-specific proteins, including PF4. The aim of this study was to determine plasma level of PF4 in psoriatic patients in order to evaluate its possible role in the pathogenesis and/or severity of psoriasis. This study included 30 patients with psoriasis attending the Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology, Tanta University Hospital. The patients were 16 females and 14 males, their ages ranged from (19 to 55) years with mean of (33.33 ± 11.47) year. In addition, 10 healthy persons of matched age and sex served as controls. Plasma samples were taken from all patients and controls for detection of plasma PF4 level by ELISA. |