CORRELATION OF SOLUBLE ICAM-1 AND E-SELECTIN IN THE PERIPHERAL-BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH GENERALIZED PUSTULAR PSORIASIS AND THEIR IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION

In this study, we have examined the immunohistochemical localization o f cell adhesion molecules in the lesions of generalized pustular psori asis (GPP) (n = 6). The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin) were predomina ntly expressed on endothelial cells of microvessels in the papillary d ermis, and E-selectin was restricted to the upper dermis. ICAM-1 also showed focal expression on the keratinocytes below the subcorneal. mic roabscess. Staining intensity of both ICAM-1 and E-selectin did not sh ow any significant differences between the involved skin of psoriasis vulgaris and GPP. Soluble ICAM-1 and E-selectin were measured by enzym e-linked immunosorbent assay in 6 patients with GPP, in 4 patients wit h severe psoriasis vulgaris (mean PASI score; 25.4) and in normal subj ects. The median level of sICAM-1 in patients with GPP (426.9 +/- 87.1 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of patients with PV (328 +/ - 21.7 ng/ml) (p < 0.05) and normal controls (170.5 +/- 60.3 ng/ml) (p < 0.005). Median levels of sE-selectin in patients with GPP (106.2 +/ - 32.8 ng/ml) were not significantly higher than those in patients wit h PV (83.8 +/- 26.0 ng/ml), but were significantly higher than those o f normal controls (41.5 +/- 15.3 ng/ml) (p < 0.005), Our results sugge st that these adhesion molecules may play a crucial role in the pathog enesis of GPP.