title: Distribution of skin-derived antileucoproteases (SKALP) in the marginal zone of the spreading psoriatic lesion.
abstract: Two new elastase inhibitors (SKALP, skin-derived antileucoproteases) were recently described in the lesional skin in psoriasis. The present study investigated the distribution of SKALP activity in the marginal zone of spreading psoriatic plaques. In a 4-mm zone immediately adjacent to the erythemato-squamous plaques, SKALP activity was slightly increased compared to distant uninvolved skin. Within the lesion the anti-elastase activity was pronounced, but was significantly higher in the central zone of the plaque compared to the periphery. The appearance of SKALP in the psoriatic lesion appears to be a late event compared to endothelial involvement, intraepidermal accumulation of PMNs, epidermal proliferation and abnormal keratinization. This observation lends further support for the hypothesis that the induction of anti-elastase activity is associated with the off-switch of cutaneous inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Van de Kerkhof
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Kuppens
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Van Vlijmen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schalkwijk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D007975:Leukotriene B4