Ethanol enhances the mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferation in patients with psoriasis.

Ethanol has been reported to exacerbate psoriasis. Since immunological mechanisms are considered to be important for the pathogenesis of psoriasis, we compared the effects of ethanol on lymphocyte proliferation in 15 healthy control individuals and 15 patients with psoriasis. We employed the spontaneous and phytohemagglutin in (PHA)-induced uptake of 3H-TdR to measure lymphocyte proliferation.

Enhanced procoagulant activity of mononuclear leukocytes in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Fibrin deposition is an important histopathological feature of inflammatory skin lesions and is mediated in part, by procoagulants generated by mononuclear leucocytes (MNL). We examined whether MNL from patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis generate enhanced procoagulant activity (PCA). MNL isolated from the peripheral blood of 15 healthy control individuals, 15 patients with atopic dermatitis and 15 patients with psoriasis were incubated for 24 h in the presence or absence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Chloroquine stimulates the mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferation in patients with psoriasis.

Chloroquine is known to exacerbate psoriasis. Since immunological stimuli are considered to be important for the pathogenesis of psoriasis, we compared the effects of chloroquine on cell-mediated immunity in 15 healthy control individuals and 15 patients with psoriasis. We employed the spontaneous and phytohemagglutin (PHA)-induced uptake of 3H-thymidine to measure lymphocyte proliferation.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels in patients with psoriasis.

A newly developed ELISA was used to detect and quantify the presence of a soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in the circulation of healthy individuals compared with patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Seventeen psoriatic patients were studied. The extent of skin lesions was rated by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI).

Soluble CD14 monocyte antigen in suction blister fluid and serum of patients with psoriasis.

The purpose of this study was to measure soluble CD14 (sCD14) molecules in the skin and in serum of patients with psoriasis. CD14 is a newly discovered cell surface marker on monocytes that is shed after cell activation. The following procedures were used: suction blisters were raised over the abdominal skin of 9 healthy control individuals and 8 patients with psoriasis.