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Increased membrane-associated transglutaminase activity in psoriasis.
J Esmann1, J J Voorhees, G J Fisher
1Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 16, 1989
Summary
Psoriasis skin shows increased membrane-associated transglutaminase (mTGase) activity and cross-linked protein envelopes (CLE), key markers of terminal differentiation. This contrasts with other differentiation markers in this skin disease.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Terminal differentiation of human skin forms an insoluble cross-linked protein envelope (CLE) for barrier function.
- Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by altered epidermal differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate terminal differentiation in psoriasis by measuring membrane-associated transglutaminase (mTGase) activity and CLE numbers.
- To compare these markers in psoriatic skin versus normal skin.
Main Methods:
- Biopsies from normal and psoriatic skin were analyzed.
- Membrane-associated transglutaminase (mTGase) activity was measured.
- The number of cross-linked protein envelopes (CLE) was quantified.
Main Results:
- mTGase activity was significantly elevated (5-fold) in psoriatic skin compared to normal skin.
- Kinetic analysis indicated increased Vmax for mTGase in psoriasis.
- The number of CLE was markedly higher (10-fold) in psoriatic skin than in normal skin.
Conclusions:
- Psoriatic skin exhibits enhanced mTGase activity and an increased number of CLE.
- These findings suggest an aberrant but upregulated terminal differentiation process in psoriasis.
- This contrasts with the observed decrease in other differentiation markers in the disease.