The eosinophil granulocyte in psoriasis

Abstract

The presence of eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the involved and non-involved skin in patients with psoriasis was studied using a polyclonal antibody specific for ECP and a monoclonal antibody (EG2) specific for activated eosinophils and secreted ECP. ECP immunoreactive eosinophils were found in all the specimens from involved psoriatic skin. In new lesions in patients with rapidly progressive disease, intense ECP immunoreactivity was detected both intra- and extracellularly, particularly in the upper third of the epidermis and usually in association with granulocytes. In stable or slowly progressive lesions, less ECP was observed. The EG2-immunoreactivity was positive in the same areas. ECP was also determined in suction-blister fluid from lesional and non-involved skin in psoriasis patients and in healthy subjects. The ECP concentration was greatly elevated in the fluid from lesions in patients with more acute and progressive disease.

Peripheral blood eosinophilia in association with generalized pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis

“…Although eosinophils are usually thought to be inconspicuous in psoriatic plaques, in the study conducted by Lundin et al ., new lesions of psoriasis in patients with rapidly progressive disease showed intense ECP immunoreactivity both intracellularly and extracellularly, particularly in the upper third of the epidermis. In stable or slowly progressive lesions, less ECP was observed 13 . The presence of ECP in psoriatic lesions is a clue for the presence of eosinophilic infiltration of the lesional skin.…”

Decreased Peripheral Blood Eosinophil Counts in Severe Psoriatic Patients Treated with Low-Dose Cyclosporine A

“…However, there is evidence that eosinophils may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Increased quantities of eosinophil cationic protein have been detected in the serum of some psoriatic patients and in suction blister fluid from psoriatic lesions [13,15]. Lundin et al [13] used an immu noperoxidase method to demonstrate the presence of eosinophil cationic protein and activated eosinophils in psoriatic epidermis and dermis.…”

“…Increased quantities of eosinophil cationic protein have been detected in the serum of some psoriatic patients and in suction blister fluid from psoriatic lesions [13,15]. Lundin et al [13] used an immu noperoxidase method to demonstrate the presence of eosinophil cationic protein and activated eosinophils in psoriatic epidermis and dermis. The level of eosinophil cat ionic protein reactivity was greatest in new psoriatic lesions in patients with rapidly worsening disease.…”

“…Psoriatic patients usually have normal levels of circulating eosinophils [13][14][15]. Eosinophils are seldom visi- ble in routinely stained biopsies of psoriatic skin [13,15,16].…”

A case of psoriasis vulgaris with peripheral blood eosinophilia, parallelling the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score

“…In the present case, overt eosinophilia was observed before treatment and the patient's eosinophil count clearly parallelled the PASI score during treatment with 20 µg/g topical tacalcitol and subsequent maintenance therapy with calcipotriol ointment. There is increasing evidence to suggest an involvement of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of psoriasis 1,2 . In routine histology, few eosinophils are observed in psoriatic lesions.…”