Immunological aspects of psoriasis.

Abstract

Lymphocyte subpopulations (6 different markers) and T [thymus-derived] cell functions (mitogen responses and serum thymic factor determination) were studied in 20 patients with psoriasis and compared with 35 healthy subjects. Normal results were found for B [bone marrow-derived] cell markers, but significantly lower numbers of T cells were assessed by E[erythrocyte]-rosettes and anti-HTLA [T-lymphocyte antigen] serum. Mitogen responses were normal for PHA [phytohemagglutinin], but were depressed after Con A [concanavalin A] and PWM [pokeweed mitogen] stimulation. Thymic factor levels were significantly higher in psoriasis than in normal subjects of the same age. There may be a T cell subpopulation defect involved in an auto-immune pathogenesis of psoriasis.