Immunological aspects of psoriasis

Abstract

The report presents the results of examination of 22 patients with psoriasis in whom the values of serous immunoglobulins IgM, IgA and IgG, the percentual representation of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood were ascertained using the E-rosette test and their reactivity to stimulation by phytomitogens (PHA and Con A) was estimated. At the same time, we observed the development of a contact allergy to 2.4-dinitrochlorbenezene (DNCB) and evaluated the relation between the results of laboratory examinations and the clinical manifestations. When compared against the control group, psoriatics displayed a significant elevation of the average value of serous IgA (p=0.02) and a significant decline in lymphocytes constituting E-rosettes (p=0.01). The blastic transformation of lymphocytes following the stimulation by con A as well as that by PHA was decreased in comparison with the control group. Also the development of contact allergy to DNCB was depressed and prolongated in the psoriatics. Contrasting the results of laboratory examinations with the clinical condition showed that the percentual drop in lymphocytes forming E-rosettes is directly related to the extent of the skin manifestations of the disease. In concluding we discuss the nature of T-lymphocytic deficiency, the role of suppressoric T-cells and the function of genetic factors in the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis.