Dr Alex Vasquez in Portland, Oregon: Treatment for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis and molecular mimicry—Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused in whole or in part by molecular mimicry. (Trends Immunol 2009 Oct[1]): The authors of this paper note that T cells in psoriatic lesions are oligoclonal and that these T-cells recognize amino acid sequences (determinants) common to streptococcal M-protein and human skin keratin; they propose that CD8(+) T cells in psoriatic epidermis respond mainly to such determinants. Further, they note that streptococcal peptidoglycan may act as an adjuvant for this immune response and that, likewise, a streptococcal superantigen may promote an inflammatory/cytokine mileau that advances skin-homing of tonsillar T cells. They conclude their abstract/summary by stating that if the above bases are correct, then “tonsillectomy should be associated with fewer T cells that recognize keratin and streptococcal determinants.” These conclusions are conceptually consistent with previously published literature, in particular the work of Noah and collegues[2], which has also emphasized the microbial link to psoriasis and has noted the documented benefit of tonsillectomy. I included citation to this article for the additional reason that it is one of the first articles to boldly state in its title that molecular mimicry is a defining pathoetiologic aspect of psoriasis, thus emphasizing the role of this mechanism in the condition previously acquiesced by the medical profession to the realms of esotericity and idiopathicity in order to justifty perpetual pharmaceuticalization of these patients.

[1] Valdimarsson H, Thorleifsdottir RH, Sigurdardottir SL, Gudjonsson JE, Johnston A. Psoriasis--as an autoimmune disease caused by molecular mimicry. Trends Immunol. 2009 Oct;30(10):494-501

[2] Rosenberg EW, Noah PW, Skinner RB Jr. Microorganisms and psoriasis. J Natl Med Assoc. 1994 Apr;86(4):305-10

Introduction to Dr Vasquez: Dr Alex Vasquez is an expert clinician, researcher, author and international lecturer who cares for patients in his office and educates other physicians world-wide on the best means to improve health outcomes. Dr Vasquez holds 3 doctoral degrees from fully-accredited American universities. In clinical practice, he treats a wide range of conditions and has particular interest in inflammatory/metabolic and autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, and psoriasis.