الفهرس 
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Abstract
Psoriasis is a genetically determined, auto-immune,inflammatory, multifactorial skin disease characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation,altered differentiations of keratinocytes and exaggerated vascularity of the lesion, due to new vessel formation, that is caused by angiogenic factors linking the pathways of angiogenesis and inflammation.Pro-angiogenic cytokinesand growth factors, are expressed by keratinocytes and up-regulated in lesional skin of psoriaisissuch as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and IL-20, TGFα,TNF α and VEGF.Vascular endothelial growth factor is considered the most determined factor responsible for angiogenesis in different tissues. Thus, in this study we focused on VEGF and its role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
VEGF belongs to the platelet derived growth factor family,is a key regulator of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis both in normal and pathological conditions.
In psoriasis, VEGF is responsible for dysregulated angiogenesis, increasevascular permeability and mediates pro-inflammatory activity by inducing vascular leakage in upper dermis.As VEGF is secreted by keratinocytes and induces VEGFR expression in the same cells, VEGF may also contribute to keratinocyte hyperproliferation in psoriasis in an autocrine manner.Using drugs to block the formation of VEGF or the binding of VEGF to its receptors can ultimately form the basis for future therapeutic intervention(ANTI -VEGF drugs).
In this study we measured the concentration of VEGF in serum of psoriatic patients to demonstrate its role in psoriasis with respect to PASI scores; and comparing those results to controls.
-VEGF levels were, consistent with most previous reports, significantly higher in psoriatic patients than those in controls, indicating its important role in psoriasis pathogensis.