In order to understand immunological responses in psoriatic lesions, immunofluorescent findings have been compared in early psoriatic lesions and fully developed plaque lesions. IgG and IgA were detected as the main antibodies in the horny layer by immunohistology. The IgA at the site of leukocyte accumulation in the horny layer seemed to be associated with secretory component (S-component) and joining chian. Regarding complement, the alternate pathway might be related to the immune reaction as the initial response, because deposits of C3, properdin and glycine rich beta-glycoprotein were found more frequently than C1q-deposit in the both lesions. In the dermis S-component was also detected at the dermal papillae adjacent to the dermoepidermal (D-E) junction of the lesions and no deposit of S-component was observed in uninvolved skin of psoriatic patients. This, however, is not a specific pattern in psoriatic lesions since deposits of S-component were found at the dermal papillae and D-E junction in other dermatoses. These findings might suggest that the immunological response was initiated by secretory IgA in horny layer, which was composed of dimeric IgA and S-component at the D-E junction and which passed easily through the epidermal cells.

The distribution of secretory IgA [sIgA] components (IgA, secretory component [SC] and J‐chain) was investigated in normal skin, pathological skin, and the mucous membrane immunofluorescently. In three of fifteen normal skin samples, very weak deposits of sIgA‐components were detected at the upper portion of the epidermis and SC was found weakly at the dermo‐epidermal (D‐E) junction. Normal mucous membrane from the lip, the oral cavity, and the glans penis showed the presence of sIgA components in the upper, vacuolated epithelial cells. In one of three specimens from the oral cavity, deposition of SC was found weakly at the proprial‐epithelial (P‐E) junction. IgA‐bearing cells were detected in the proprial layer. In the pathological skin showing epidermal involvement, marked visible deposits of SC were found at the D‐E junction and also around dilated vessels in the dermal papillae. In aphthous lesions of the oral cavity, SC was located at the P‐E junction. SIgA components were detectable in the stratum corneum of these skin diseases and on the surface of involved mucosae. These findings may suggest that sIgA is concerned with the surface immunological defence system of the skin and mucous membranes.

Deposits of immunoglobulins (Igs) and complement components can be demonstrated in the stratum corneum (SC) of psoriatic lesions by immunofluorescent (IF) technique. In this paper, the underlying inflammation in the lesional dermis, which may affect the immune reactions in the SC, was investigated by immunocytochemical and IF techniques.Using the reactive tests for a-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity, T-Iymphocytes were found to be predominant among inOammatory infiltrates in the lesional dermis. By the immunoperoidase method, IgA and secretory component (S-component) bearing cells, which seemed to be bound to each other on their cell surfaces, comprised about 20% of the mass of infiltrates in the upper dermis of early psoriatic lesions. These Igs and S-component bearing cells seemed to be non T -lymphocytes, The inflammatory conditions in the dermis appeared to be closely connected to the immune reactions in the SC of psoriasis.

Statistical survey of dermatophytes isolated in the dermatology clinic, Hokkaido University Hospital, during the period from Sept. 1978 to Aug. 1979 revealed that T, rubrum and T, mentagrophytes were predominant.Dermatomycoses due to M, canis and T, verrucosum respectively were more frequently observed in Hokkaido compared with the other district of Japan. The reason for the prevalence of M.canis infections in Hokkaido might be explained as much spreading of the fungus infections among cats and more closer contact to infected cats in this district. T, verrucosum infections were almost always observed among dairly farmers and their families. Dairy farming is one of the main industries in Hokkaido. Therefore, it is understandable that this disease is prevalent in this district, because the transmission of fungus may more frequently happen, if the cattles were infected with T, verrucosum.The cases infected with M, gypseum and T, uiolaceum respectively were observed in recent years, which were considered to be rare in Hokkaido. This fact might indicate that the etiology of the ringworm in Hokkaido seems to become similar to that in the other districts of Japan.