title: Ultrastructural evidence suggesting an immunomodulatory activity of oral retinoid. Its effect on dermal components in psoriasis.
abstract: The effects of the aromatic retinoid RO 10-9359 on the fine structure of psoriatic dermis were investigated by electron microscopy in five patients after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of treatment (I mg/kg/day). Our findings show that aromatic retinoid, additionally to its epidermal effects, exerts a distinct influence on dermal components in psoriasis. Ultrastructural evidence is provided suggesting that this drug stimulates lymphocytes and monocytes, promoting their differentiation into Sézary-like lymphocytic cells, activated macrophages and dermal Langerhans cells. The appearance of these immunocompetent cell lines may modulate the cell-mediated immune response in psoriasis, obviously reflecting a pharmacological action of the drug additional to its definite influence on epidermal keratinization.
mesh_terms: D005050:Etretinate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008264:Macrophages / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D014212:Tretinoin; D005050:Etretinate