Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients with moderate-to-severe versus mild plaque psoriasis

In several studies peripheral blood T-cells have been quantified, yet few data are available on lymphocyte subsets in moderate-to-severe psoriasis (in terms of extent and activity of lesions) versus mild psoriasis. The objective is to compare lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients with moderate-to-severe disease (PASI-score ≥12) to patients with mild disease (PASI-score <12) and to healthy subjects. By means of flow cytometry method, lymphocytes in peripheral blood of 27 patients with psoriasis and 10 healthy controls were characterized. The absolute number of total lymphocytes was markedly decreased in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis as compared to patients with mild disease and normal subjects. Cellcounts of all analysed subsets were found to be increased in more severe psoriasis, except for CD8+CD45RO+ cells. The under-representation of CD8+CD45RO+ cells is compatible with the dynamics of acquired immunity, which requires a time log after the relapse of the lesions to differentiate from CD45RA+ naive cells

Skin capacitance mapping of psoriasis

peer reviewedBACKGROUND: The pathobiological dynamics of psoriatic lesions are complex and difficult to perceive by clinical inspection alone. Non-invasive bioengineering methods may prove to be useful in this field. OBJECTIVE: To identify some subtle capacitance variations in the stratum corneum of chronic psoriasis lesions. METHOD: The newly developed method of skin capacitance imaging was used to provide non-optical images of the hydration of the superficial layers of the stratum corneum. RESULTS: Compared to the uninvolved skin, psoriatic lesions usually showed an overall lowered capacitance, admixed with foci of moderately higher capacitance. Still other sharply circumscribed blotches with higher capacitance were present. The latter aspect corresponded to inflammatory areas. Sweating appeared markedly impaired inside the lesions. The fingerprint of some patients was altered, thus potentially interfering with the current biometric security procedures using the same method. CONCLUSION: Skin capacitance imaging is a non-invasive, non-optical method that distinguishes three contrasting levels of stratum corneum hydration in psoriatic lesions. The lowest capacitance level probably corresponded to xerotic orthokeratosis. The medium capacitance level presumably identified foci of parakeratosis and clumps of neutrophils. The highest capacitance level suggested exsudation at the site of prominent vessel dilation and dermal inflammation. Impaired sweating in the psoriatic lesions may potentially interfere with body thermoregulation