[Kinetics of eicosanoid formation in human epidermal cells in suspension]

Increased levels of eicosanoids in lesions of psoriasis suggest activation of arachidonic acid metabolism in different cell types play a physiopathologic role. The contribution of each cell type present in psoriasis has been the subject of some controversy, which has led us to study the metabolism of arachidonic acid in human epidermal cells suspensions. 12-HETE was found to be the main product, followed by PGE2 and PGF2 alpha; no 5-lypoxygenase products were found. Thus epidermal cell contribution to LTB4 levels present in plaques of psoriasis appears to be irrelevant. Conversely, increased levels of 12-HETE probably do result from arachidonic acid metabolism by epidermal cells.