Psoriasis is linked with increased risk of
cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is underestimated by traditional risk stratification. We conducted a large-scale plasma proteomic analysis by use of a proximity extension assay in 85 patients with a history of moderate-to-severe
psoriasis with or without established atherosclerotic CVD. Differentially expressed
proteins associated with CVD were correlated with subclinical atherosclerotic markers including vascular
inflammation determined by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT),
carotid artery plaques, and coronary artery
calcium score (CCS) in the patients without CVD and
statin treatment. We also examined the association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and subclinical
atherosclerosis. In unadjusted analyses, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) levels and NLR were increased, while
tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related activation-inducing
ligand (TRANCE) and TNF-related apoptosis-induced
ligand (TRAIL) levels were decreased in patients with established CVD compared to those without CVD. Among patients with
psoriasis without CVD and
statin treatment,
GDF-15 levels were negatively associated with vascular
inflammation in the ascending aorta and entire aorta, and positively associated with CIMT and CCS. NLR was positively associated with vascular
inflammation in the carotid arteries. Our data suggest that circulating
GDF-15 levels and NLR might serve as
biomarkers of subclinical
atherosclerosis in patients with
psoriasis.