title: Spreading of psoriatic plaques: alteration of epidermal differentiation precedes capillary leakiness and anomalies in vascular morphology.
abstract: To approach the temporal relationship between alterations in keratinization and capillary leakiness in psoriasis, we studied the topography of these anomalies in spreading psoriatic lesions. Histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed on skin biopsies obtained from normal individuals and from psoriatic patients. In the latter case, biopsies were taken in uninvolved skin, in the center of lesions, and at the edge of evolving plaques (spanning uninvolved and involved skin). Alterations in epidermal differentiation were assessed by the distribution of filagrin, involucrin, and epidermal membrane-bound transglutaminase. Capillary leakiness was evaluated by the abundance of plasma proteins such as albumin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin G within the epidermis. Typical alterations of epidermal differentiation were already obvious at the edge of the lesions, in areas devoid of vessel abnormalities and leakiness, or significant cellular infiltration. These results strongly suggest that, during the formation of a psoriatic plaque, defects in keratinocyte differentiation precede the development of vascular anomalies.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Dermatology Unit, Erasme Hospital, School of Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parent
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Desbas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heenen
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Darmon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002196:Capillaries / Q000002:abnormalities; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins