Decreased high-affinity epidermal growth factor receptors in psoriatic epidermis

Using 125I-EGF the distribution of EGF receptors in psoriatic epidermis was autoradiographically examined. Binding sites of 125I-EGF (20 ng/ml) were mainly located at basal and suprabasal cells in normal and uninvolved psoriatic epidermis, whereas they were located at spinous cells as well as at basal and suprabasal cells in affected psoriatic epidermis. Binding of 125I-EGF (1 ng/ml), on the other hand, was observed in normal and uninvolved psoriatic epidermis but not in affected psoriatic epidermis. The majority of EGF receptors in affected psoriatic epidermis were featured by low affinity for EGF.