EXPRESSION OF ENDOGLIN IN PSORIATIC INVOLVED AND UNINVOLVED SKIN

Endoglin is a glycoprotein with TGF-beta binding capacity and is predo minantly expressed on endothelial cells. In psoriasis, TGF-beta has ap peared to play a role in the extravasation of peripheral blood mononuc lear cells via the endothelium. In order to find out more about the ro le of endoglin in psoriasis, immunohistochemical staining with PN-E2, a novel anti-endoglin, and of PAL-E, recognizing vascular endothelium, was carried out in psoriatic involved, psoriatic uninvolved and norma l skin. The expression of the antigens was assessed semi-quantitativel y using a five-point scale. In psoriatic involved skin, a high endogli n expression was found. In psoriatic uninvolved skin, however, we foun d that endoglin expression was significantly decreased compared with n ormal skin. The relevance of these findings to the pathogenesis of pso riasis is discussed.