Abstract 14905: Association of Neutrophils and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps With Aortic Vascular Inflammation in Psoriasis

IntroductionCardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is increased in psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease that affects 2-3% of the population. Notably, psoriasis is associated with increased aortic vascular inflammation (VI) compared to non-psoriasis. Recently, neutrophils and associated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have gained attention in inflammatory atherogenesis in pre-clinical models. HypothesisNeutrophils and NETs proteins would associate with aortic vascular inflammation.MethodsConsecutively recruited psoriasis patients (N=81) and healthy controls (n=36) underwent FDG PET/CT for assessment of VI (global aorta) as target-to-background ratio. Circulating neutrophils were measured via flow cytometry. Circulating NETs and deoxyribose nuclease 1 (DNase 1) levels were measured by ELISA. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate NET-induced changes in Human Aortic Endothelial Cell (HAoEC) gene expression.ResultsNeutrophil frequency was increased in psoriasis (p=0.01) compared to non-psoriasis and associated with aortic vascular inflammation beyond CVD risk factors (β=0.27, p=0.04). Psoriasis was associated with increased circulating NETs (Histone 4-associated NET absorbance p=0.056) and decreased NET clearance (DNase 1 concentration; p