concanavalin-a and Psoriasis

Immune abnormalities in psoriasis vulgaris are described. Anti-stratum corneum antibodies deposited with C3 have been found in patients with psoriasis. A lot of other immune abnormalities identified in psoriasis: increased serum IgG and IgA levels, lowered DNCB-sensitization, alteration in polymorphnuclear leukocytes (PMN) function, decreased number of T cells, lack of response to concanavalin A (ConA) and an increase in the polyclonal B cell activation. the authors believe that the immunoregulatory defect is due to the disorder of the skin.

Topics: Autoantibodies; B-Lymphocytes; Complement C3; Concanavalin A; Cornea; Dinitrochlorobenzene; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Lymphocyte Activation; Neutrophils; Psoriasis; T-Lymphocytes

A placebo-controlled study of immunotherapy with Mycobacterium vaccae for chronic plaque psoriasis showed improvement in the psoriasis area severity index in 19 of 21 immunotherapy recipients (P<0.005). Minor improvement, not reaching statistical significance for the group, occurred in nine of 14 placebo recipients. There were losses to follow-up and the placebo used, tetanus toxoid, was not ideal. Clinical improvement after immunotherapy persisted for 6 months and another injection of the immunotherapeutic given to a few volunteers from either group resulted in benefits lasting a year. Lymphoproliferative tests were carried out at each clinic visit, and on 50 matched controls. Starting with reduced responses to mycobacterial antigens and concanavalin A, both treatment groups showed a fall after 3 months, and diverged at 6 months with M. vaccae recipients rising to values similar to those of healthy controls, whereas placebo recipients continued to fall. Conclusions reached were that immunotherapy with M. vaccae gave long-lasting clinical benefit to most patients, with minimal side effects. This accompanied a return towards normal cellular immune responsiveness to mycobacterial antigens, which did not follow the use of the placebo.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antigens, Bacterial; Bacterial Proteins; Cells, Cultured; Chaperonin 60; Chaperonins; Concanavalin A; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Immunotherapy, Active; Lymphocyte Activation; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium avium; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Psoriasis; Severity of Illness Index

High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) plays important roles in inflammation, immune responses, and tumor progression. Since HMGB1 and its components have been shown to be mediators of a number of diseases but several sources of recombinant HMGB1 showed controversial biological activity, it is important to obtain recombinant HMGB1 with properties that resemble the native protein. For this purpose, we cloned genes coding for human HMGB1 and its active components A box and B box by PCR and inserted the cloned genes into pET28a vectors for transformation of Escherichia coli BL21. The E. coli expressed proteins were then purified with a Ni(2+)-NTA column and the endotoxin content was removed. Recombinant human HMGB1 (rhHMGB1) and its B box thus obtained stimulated, but A box inhibited, the production of the chemokine CXCL8/IL-8 by THP-1 monocytic cell line. We also used purified rhHMGB1 to immunize rabbits and generated potent anti-sera, which was capable of neutralizing the activity of rhHMGB1 in vitro and detecting the increased HMGB1 expression in inflammatory tissues in mice and humans. Thus, we have established essential means to produce biologically active rhHMGB1 that will facilitate us to study its role in diseases and to explore its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Cloning, Molecular; Concanavalin A; Escherichia coli; HMGB1 Protein; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunization; Inflammation; Interleukin-8; Liver Failure, Acute; Mice; Monocytes; Psoriasis; Rabbits; Recombinant Proteins; Transformation, Bacterial

Bacterial infection might influence the clinical response of patients with immunological disorders including psoriasis to the therapeutic efficacies of immunosuppressive drugs, but few studies have been carried out to investigate the implication of bacterial superantigens. We evaluated the suppressive efficacies of betamethasone butyrate propionate, vitamin D3 derivatives, and cyclosporine against concanavalin A- or superantigen-induced proliferation of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells obtained from 18 healthy subjects. In vitro drug concentrations giving 50% inhibition (IC50s) of peripheral-blood mononuclear cell-proliferation stimulated with concanavalin A or streptococcal pyrogenic enterotoxin A were estimated. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin-2, -4, -5, or -10, in a peripheral-blood mononuclear cell-culture medium were measured with beads-array procedures. The median (range) IC50 value for betamethasone butyrate propionate evaluated in the streptococcal pyrogenic enterotoxin A-stimulated peripheral-blood mononuclear cells was 291.6 (0.001-1171.5) ng/ml, which was significantly higher than the value 0.072 (0.01-222.5) ng/ml found in concanavalin A-stimulated peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (P=0.0245). However, the median (range) IC50 value for calcipotriol in the streptococcal pyrogenic enterotoxin A-stimulated peripheral-blood mononuclear cells was 0.3 (0.24-1357.4) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the value 128.6 (0.1-776.9) ng/ml found in concanavalin A-stimulated peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (P=0.0323). The IC50 value for cyclosporine was not significantly different between the concanavalin A- and streptococcal pyrogenic enterotoxin A-stimulated PBMCs. Concentration for none of the cytokines was significantly different between concanavalin A- and streptococcal pyrogenic enterotoxin A-stimulated peripheral-blood mononuclear cell cultures. The effects of betamethasone butyrate propionate to suppress these cytokine productions were rather stronger than those of calcipotriol. Streptococcal pyrogenic enterotoxin A induced by hemolytic streptococci colonization is suggested to attenuate the therapeutic efficacy of betamethasone butyrate propionate. While the mechanistic background of calcipotriol to suppress streptococcal pyrogenic enterotoxin A-induced peripheral-blood mononuclear cell-proliferation remains to be elucidated, vitamin D3 derivatives appears to be effective in suppressing anom

Topics: Adult; Betamethasone; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Cholecalciferol; Concanavalin A; Cyclosporine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enterotoxins; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Interferon-gamma; Interleukins; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Male; Mitogens; Psoriasis; Streptococcus; Superantigens; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics: Concanavalin A; Humans; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; Psoriasis

Heparinised blood samples were obtained from 20 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and from 13 age-matched healthy controls. After preliminary titration, mononuclear cells separated over Ficoll-Tryoson were cultured for 5 days with 10 microg ml(-1) of 15 mycobacterial preparations, or with pokeweed mitogen and concanavalin A. Stimulation indices were determined for each reagent and means were determined for patients and controls. Results for patients showed a striking reduction of responsiveness to mycobacteria, apparently due to loss of responses to group i, common mycobacterial antigens, and no differences in responses to mitogens. These observations relate psoriasis to certain other diseases, notably mycobacterial infections, rheumatoid arthritis, Chagas' disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection. The observations may be relevant to the aetiology of psoriasis, and to potential immunotherapy for the disease.

Topics: Adult; Antigens, Bacterial; Cells, Cultured; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Matched-Pair Analysis; Mycobacterium; Pokeweed Mitogens; Psoriasis; T-Lymphocytes

We investigated the in vitro responses to bacterial superantigens of peripheral blood mononuclear cells taken from patients with psoriasis (one arthropathic, two guttate and four chronic plaque type). We also analysed the relationship between the magnitude of the responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to bacterial exotoxins and the number of circulating T cells bearing V beta 2 and V beta 3 regions. The proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to Staphylococcal enterotoxin B and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 was significantly higher in patients with active psoriasis than in normal subjects. An improvement in skin eruption was associated with a decrease in the lymphocyte response to one-half or one-third that of the active phase. There was no significant difference between patients with psoriasis and normal subjects in the percentage of V beta 2- and V beta 3-positive circulating T cells. The percentages of V beta 2-positive and V beta 3-positive cells were not correlated with the levels of responsiveness to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 and to Staphylococcal enterotoxin B, respectively. These findings suggest that the magnitude of responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to bacterial toxins does not depend on the number of T cells reactive with the relevant superantigen, but depends on the extent of skin lesions in psoriasis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bacterial Toxins; Cells, Cultured; Concanavalin A; Enterotoxins; Female; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; Staphylococcus aureus; Superantigens; T-Lymphocytes

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known to suppress some cell-mediated immune responses to antigens encountered during or soon after exposure. Phototherapy is widely used in psoriasis, and this study was undertaken to monitor changes in a range of immunological parameters during standard courses of treatment, with the aim of ascertaining whether such modulations contribute to the effectiveness of therapy. The responses of 17 patients with psoriasis undergoing UVB therapy, and four receiving PUVA therapy, were compared with 15 patients receiving coal tar treatment and four normal subjects undergoing UVB irradiation. In each case, samples were taken before starting therapy, after 4 weeks of therapy, and 4 weeks after completion of treatment. Serum immunoglobulin isotypes and complement components were within normal ranges in most of the psoriasis patients, and remained unchanged throughout therapy. Similarly, percentages of subsets of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were normal, and were unaltered by treatment. Patients who were already infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV), as demonstrated by a positive lymphoproliferation test in vitro, were monitored for asymptomatic HSV shedding and HSV recrudescences during therapy. There was little evidence that phototherapy caused reactivation of the virus. No significant alteration in lymphoproliferative response to HSV and to the mitogen concanavalin A was observed during therapy. Epidermal cells and blood adherent cells were used to present HSV to PBMC, depleted of adherent cells and enriched for T cells, in a lymphoproliferative assay. The functional antigen-presenting ability of adherent cells remained unchanged throughout therapy, whereas that of epidermal cells was suppressed during UVB irradiation and recovered, in most instances, after UVB therapy had been completed. The epidermis of patients with psoriasis contained about three times the quantity of urocanic acid (UCA) of normal subjects, whereas the UCA concentration in suction blister fluid did not differ between the two groups. During UVB irradiation, the percentage of cis-UCA rose in both the epidermis and suction blister fluid of all subjects, and it remained elevated in the blister fluid after therapy had finished. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha was measured in suction blister fluid, and its concentration did not alter consistently as a result of therapy. Whether any of the immunological parameters measured, and the changes noted, contribute t

Topics: Adult; Aged; Coal Tar; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; PUVA Therapy; Simplexvirus; Ultraviolet Therapy; Urocanic Acid

24 psoriasis vulgaris patients were investigated for the expression of class II HLA antigens on the surface of PWM-stimulated T lymphocytes. The percentage of the expression of HLA-DP antigens ranged from 50.1% to 82.6% compared to a 100% level in healthy controls (p less than 0.005). No significant differences in the expression of HLA-DR antigens were observed. A higher frequency of some HLA antigens was found in the group of patients studied: B13 - 23.1%/6.2%, B 17 - 15.4%/7.1%, and Dw7 - 59.4%/15.8%.

Topics: Concanavalin A; Gene Expression; HLA-DP Antigens; HLA-DR Antigens; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation; Phytohemagglutinins; Pokeweed Mitogens; Psoriasis; Radioimmunoassay; T-Lymphocytes

Topics: Concanavalin A; Dermatitis, Seborrheic; Humans; Lectins; Lectins, C-Type; Mannose Receptor; Mannose-Binding Lectins; Mouth Mucosa; Plant Lectins; Psoriasis; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Immunologic; Receptors, Mitogen; Skin

Topics: Concanavalin A; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Lymphocyte Activation; Phytohemagglutinins; Psoriasis

Topics: Adult; Aged; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Middle Aged; Phytohemagglutinins; Psoriasis; T-Lymphocytes

Based on recent findings indicating increased respiratory burst activity of monocytes (M phi) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in psoriasis upon stimulation with zymosan particles, we examined the question of whether incubation with various stimuli always results in augmented oxidative metabolism in psoriatic phagocytes. We compared M phi and PMN isolated from the peripheral blood of 12 patients with psoriasis and 12 control individuals. We measured the generation of oxygen intermediates of resting and stimulated M phi and PMN by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. The stimulants applied were: (1) aggregated immunoglobulin (aggIg), (2) zymosan, (3) zymosan opsonized with autologous serum, (4) phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and (5) concanavalin A (ConA). We found no difference between patients and controls in the generation of oxygen intermediates by resting M phi and PMN. Stimulation by aggIg and zymosan yielded an increased chemiluminescent response in psoriatic M phi and PMN. Serum-treated zymosan effected increased light generation in M phi but not in PMN of patients. By contrast, PMA, and in particular ConA, brought about markedly increased generation of oxygen intermediates in PMN only of patients with psoriasis. Our results indicate control of the increased generation of oxygen intermediates of M phi and PMN by different stimuli. The metabolic events underlying the augmented phagocytic response may be similar to abnormalities found in involved psoriatic skin.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Luminescent Measurements; Male; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Neutrophils; Oxygen; Psoriasis; Stimulation, Chemical; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Zymosan

Based on previous in vitro examinations, we compared different stimuli eliciting a "respiratory burst" in phagocytes of patients with psoriasis and controls. - Measurements were performed be chemiluminescence (CL). - The results show similar CL in resting phagocytes. Upon stimulation, psoriatic macrophages display augmented CL with aggregated immunoglobulin (aggIg), zymosan (Z), and opsonized zymosan (C3b), macrophages with aggIg, Z, phorbol myristate acetate, and concanavalin A. - The capability for increased phagocytic CL in psoriasis may be modulated by different cell membrane receptors. Changes in the metabolism of arachidonic acid analogous to those encountered in psoriatic epidermis may be responsible for the augmented CL in psoriasis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Complement C3b; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Luminescent Measurements; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Psoriasis; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Zymosan

Eleven biopsy specimens of normal skin and twenty-four biopsy specimens of psoriatic lesions were examined histochemically by using several lectins (Ulex europaeus, UEA-1; Dolichos biflorus, DBA; Bandeirea simplicifolia, BS-I; Concanvalia ensiformis, Con A; Triticum vulgaris, WGA; Ricinus communis, RCA; Arachis hypogoea, PNA) in order to evaluate the presence and distribution of various carbohydrates in normal and psoriatic keratinocytes. The findings revealed that keratinocytes from psoriatic lesions are distinguished by a different composition of carbohydrate residues incorporated in their plasma membranes. In particular, the intracellular transport of alpha-L-fucose, alpha-D-mannose, and alpha-D-glucose to the plasma cell membrane is impeded, whereas their synthesis in the cytoplasm of the psoriatic keratinocytes is largely unaltered. In addition, due to the lack of terminal alpha-L-fucose, the alpha-D-N-acetyl-galactosamine and alpha-D-galactose residues cannot be transferred to the plasma membranes and, therefore, the antigens for blood groups A and B remain incomplete in psoriatic epidermis. On the basis of these findings and in comparison with previous findings of our group on hyperproliferative, malignant keratinocytes, it is concluded that particularly the disordered cytoplasmic transport of alpha-L-fucose-carrying glycoconjugates may represent a specific defect in psoriasis, possibly linked with the pathogenesis of this disease.

Topics: Acetylgalactosamine; Biological Transport; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Cell Membrane; Concanavalin A; Fucose; Galactose; Glucose; Humans; Lectins; Mannose; Plant Lectins; Plants, Toxic; Psoriasis; Ricinus communis; Skin; Staining and Labeling

Mannose-containing of glycoproteins from lesional tissue of several diseases of aberrant epidermal differentiation (palmar-plantar keratoderma, pachyonychia congenita, psoriasis, and epidermolytic hyperkeratosis) were analyzed by overlaying iodinated concanavalin A onto molecules separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Gel autoradiograms showed that biopsy samples from patients with the same disease were very similar. The radioactivity profiles were different for each disease and were distinguishable from each other and from normal epidermis and callus. The resolution and sensitivity of this technique may be of diagnostic significance.

Topics: Cell Differentiation; Concanavalin A; Epidermal Cells; Epidermis; Glycoproteins; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Keratoderma, Palmoplantar; Keratosis; Nail Diseases; Psoriasis; Skin Diseases

Pharmacological abnormalities occur in the psoriatic epidermis, and if similar abnormalities occur in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells they could impair the immune responses in psoriasis. In a paired control study, we have tested the capacity of histamine, isoprenaline and theophylline (10(-5) and 10(-7) M) to inhibit the mitogen responsiveness of blood mononuclear cells from normal and psoriatic subjects, using phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A. In the normal controls, mitogen responsiveness was inhibited by all three pharmacological agents by about 30 to 50%. In cells from psoriatic patients, the response in the presence of histamine was inhibited (as in the controls), but isoprenaline caused no inhibition, and theophylline paradoxically increased the mitogenic responses. These results suggest there is a defect in the pharmacological response of the blood mononuclear cells in psoriasis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Blood Cells; Cell Division; Concanavalin A; Depression, Chemical; Female; Histamine; Humans; Isoproterenol; Leukocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Phytohemagglutinins; Psoriasis; Theophylline

Three cell surface parameters of epidermal cells have been studied by immunofluorescence, pemphigus antigens, concanavalin-A binding sugars, and beta 2 microglobulin. Biopsy specimens were taken from a total of 59 patients with psoriasis, seborrheic and solar keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell epithelioma. We found a loss of demonstrability of all parameters in dedifferentiated tumors or tumor areas in squamous cell carcinoma, premonitory changes in solar keratosis, and no changes in seborrheic keratosis. In the psoriatic epidermis a granular redistribution of the cell surface parameters was occasionally observed in circumscribed areas of the epidermis. A selective loss of the demonstrability of beta 2 microglobulin was the prominent feature in basal cell epithelioma. Our findings demonstrate that the alterations of the cell surface differ in malignant and premalignant skin tumors, in basal cell epithelioma, and in benign psoriatic hyperplasia.

Topics: Antigens; beta 2-Microglobulin; Beta-Globulins; Binding Sites; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Concanavalin A; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Keratosis; Pemphigus; Precancerous Conditions; Psoriasis; Skin Neoplasms

T cell subsets bearing Fc-receptors for either IgG (TG) or IgM (TM), and suppressor cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells on in vitro lymphoproliferative responses were studied in patients with untreated psoriasis. The proportions of TG and TM cells were unmodified in 15 patients compared to 15 control subjects studied in parallel experiments. The concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activity, as well as the spontaneous suppressor cell function of in vitro short-lived adherent cells, were in the normal range for 7 out of 8 psoriatic patients investigated. The data argue against the possibility that a generalized suppressor cell defect occurs in psoriasis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; T-Lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

Monoclonal antibodies recognizing human T cell differentiation antigens were used to study lymphocyte populations in three cutaneous diseases. Neoplastic lymphocytes from patients with varying phases of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome and related presentations) were reactive with OKT1 and OKT3 (pan T cell reagents) and OKT4 (an antibody defining the functional "helper" T cell subset). The malignant cells lacked membrane antigens reactive with OKT5 and OKT8 (markers of "suppressor" T cells). The presence of an OKT1+, OKT3+, OKT4+, OKT5-, OKT8- phenotype on the neoplastic T lymphocytes of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) supports the clinical impression that all phases of CTCL represent a single disease entity. A patient with pemphigus vulgaris, a disease of autoreactive, antiepidermal antibodies was shown to consistently have a marked expansion of the peripheral blood OKT4 reactive T lymphocyte population. These findings suggest that autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris may occur in the context of a profound OKT4/OKT5 immunoregulatory imbalance. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients ith extensive psoriasis vulgaris had a normal profile of reactivity with the OKT antibodies. In addition, OKT6 (marker of intrathymic T cells) has been shown to react with Ia+ dendritic cells in the epidermis suggesting that this antibody may recognize Langerhans' cells.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Concanavalin A; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphocytes; Lymphoma; Mice; Middle Aged; Pemphigus; Phenotype; Psoriasis; Rabbits; Skin Diseases; T-Lymphocytes

Sixteen psoriatic patients and 11 control subjects were investigated by immunofluorescence for skin immunoglobulins (IG) and complement (c) deposits and for keratinocyte membrane markers with anti beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2 m) antibodies (Ab), Con A, and pemphigus Ab. IG and/or c deposits were almost constant in involved epidermis. Three patterns were associated: (1) parakeratotic nuclear (dots-dashes), (2) stratum corneum (SC) intercellular (lamellar pattern), (3) vascular (granular or linear deposits in papillary dermal vessels). In uninvolved epidermis nuclear or vascular deposits could occasionally be present but intercellular pattern was never found in SC. Control specimens were always negative. The three surface markers investigated (beta 2 m, Con A receptor, Pemphigus antigen) could be demonstrated on psoriatic keratinocytes with only slight differences in distribution when compared with controls. Thus, by this methodology no important abnormality could be found in psoriatic keratinocyte membrane antigens.

Topics: beta 2-Microglobulin; Cell Nucleus; Complement System Proteins; Concanavalin A; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Membranes; Pemphigus; Psoriasis

Isolated peripheral mononuclear cells of psoriasis patients with different disease characteristics, e. g. head-localised, quiescent guttata, confluent active widespread and erythrodermic, were cultured in a modified Mishell-Dutton system. Using the plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay, single cell antibody formation was studied, and class distribution monitored, adding pokeweed mitogen (PWM), concanavalin A (ConA), methotrexate (MTX) or Ro-109359/31, as well as autologous sera to the culture. PFC-estimation vs. sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and burro red blood cells (BRBC) revealed a distinct suppression of primarily IgG-PFC in some of the PWM-treated patients' cultures; ConA maximally reduced PFC by only 50%, compared to 100% for normal immune cells. Ro-109359/31 reduced mainly IgG-PFC in the co-cultures with PWM or autologous sera. MTX resulted in a reduction of IgG-PFC and IgM-PFC equally. The results were compared with cultured immune cells from normal individuals. The two antigenically different indicators, the partial abolition of ConA induced suppression, broad-based immunoglobulin elevation in the sera, and the mainly IgG-formation hint at the role of polyclonal B-cell activation in the perpetuation of psoriasis, which can be specifically reduced by Ro-109359/31. Suppressor cell dysfunctions remain to be discussed.

Topics: Antibody Formation; Concanavalin A; Etretinate; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Methotrexate; Pokeweed Mitogens; Psoriasis; Tretinoin

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes from patients with psoriasis demonstrated a significantly enhanced chemotactic responsiveness to zymosan-activated human serum as compared to granulocytes from healthy volunteers. Furthermore, psoriatic peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with concanavalin a produced an increased amount of lymphocyte derived chemotactic factor (LDCF) as compared to that in the case of healthy persons. The LDCF proved to be chemokinetic for the psoriatic granulocyte. It is postulated that these two phenomena may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chemotactic Factors; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Kinetics; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Psoriasis; Zymosan

Recent studies suggest that autoimmunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In view of these findings, it is postulated that the immunologic defect may be associated with regulation of the immune system. A study was undertaken to determine whether a suppressor cell defect was present. Two groups of patients with active psoriasis who were receiving no therapy were selected. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were pulsed with concanavalin A, 40 microgram/cc, for 48 hours. Their ability to suppress a mixed lymphocyte reaction with both autologous and allogeneic responding cells was assessed. There was a significant decrease in suppressor activity in psoriasis patients compared with normal individuals. Although we have not demonstrated that this mechanism is implicated directly in a causal relationship to psoriasis, it nevertheless gives further support to the possible role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Topics: Concanavalin A; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; Psoriasis; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

Topics: Cell Differentiation; Concanavalin A; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; Lymphocytes; Psoriasis; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

The distribution of thymus-derived (T) and bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes in 100 patients with psoriasis were studied by the rosetting techniques. Depression of the number of T lymphocytes forming spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes) occurred in 66% of patients, whereas no difference in B lymphocytes bearing C3 receptor (EAC rosettes) was observed between psoriatics and normals. The decrease in E rosettes was associated with the active phase of the disease. This disappeared 4-6 wk after onset of remission, which suggested that the abnormality in T-cell marker distribution is transitional. Lymphocytes forming neither E nor EAC rosettes, which were found to be significantly increased in active psoriasis, were identified as T lymphocytes since they reacquired normal E rosette function during short-term preincubation with concanavalin A (Con A). A serum factor was also demonstrated which inhibited E rosette formation by normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Its activity increased linearly within 2 mo from the onset of skin lesions. The data suggest that in active psoriasis serum factors may be coated on the lymphocyte surface membrane which may be responsible for blocking of specific receptor for sheep erythrocytes and/or interfere with T lymphocyte function.

Topics: Animals; B-Lymphocytes; Binding Sites, Antibody; Cell Membrane; Complement C3; Concanavalin A; Erythrocytes; Female; Humans; Male; Psoriasis; Rosette Formation; Sheep; T-Lymphocytes

T-lymphocyte number and functions were studied in 24 patients with psoriasis guttata as compared to healthy controls. A decrease was found of the in vitro ability to synthetize DNA in response to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A, poke weed mitogen and PPD, which was statistically significant for PHA. The percentage and absolute numbers of both T and B peripheral blood lymphocytes were not altered.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; B-Lymphocytes; Cell Count; Concanavalin A; Female; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Middle Aged; Mitogens; Phytohemagglutinins; Psoriasis; T-Lymphocytes; Tuberculin

Patients with psoriasis were found to have less intensive experimental DNCB sensitization and decreased lymphocyte response to nonspecific mitogens, PHA, Con A, and PWM. E rosette formation was defective only in active psoriasis, in contrast to normal T and B cell counts. A reduction in DNCB hypersensitivity development and the percentage of E rosette forming lymphocytes were related to disease activity, but not to extention of skin lesions. The defect of E rosette function appeared to be transitional and completely disappeared in the remission. Abnormalities in CMI in psoriasis were found to be related at least partially to the existence in patients sera of a factor inhibiting normal T lymphocyte function. The study provides no evidence for the presence of primary CMI defect in psoriasis.

Topics: B-Lymphocytes; Concanavalin A; Dermatitis, Contact; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunosuppression Therapy; Leukocyte Count; Psoriasis; Rosette Formation; T-Lymphocytes