The major internal protein, p27, of a retrovirus-like particle is expressed in blood lymphocytes from psoriatic patients

Abstract

Retrovirus-like particles were isolated from the urine of a patient with psoriasis. The major internal protein, p27, in these particles was isolated by immunosorbent chromatography and gel filtration on a Sephacryl S-300 column in 6m guanidine hydrochloride. The protein was purified to homogeneity as judged by SDS-PAGE. A hyperimmune serum with specificity for p27 was obtained by vaccination of a rabbit with purified p27 antigen. This antiserum was used to examine blood lymphocytes for the expression of p27 antigen by indirect immunofluorescence. Between 0.1 and 1 per cent of the lymphocytes obtained from patients with psoriasis showed a bright cytoplasmatic (and membrane) fluorescence while no p27 positive cells could be detected in the preparations from the healthy controls (frequency <0.01 per cent). Among the p27 positive psoriatic cells were lymphocytes with markers for T cells, B cells and NK cells.