FIGURE 1.

Mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in psoriasis involve complex interactions between the endothelium, proinflammatory cytokines, circulating lipids and platelets, and the increased prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. These factors act synergistically directly and indirectly activate endothelial cells and impair their function, resulting in a pro-atherogenic state, the subsequent development of subclinical vascular injury and eventually, clinically evident cardiovascular disease (CVD).