[Changes in the chemoluminescence behavior of micro- and macrophages in psoriasis: more than just an epiphenomenon?]

Based on previous in vitro examinations, we compared different stimuli eliciting a "respiratory burst" in phagocytes of patients with psoriasis and controls. - Measurements were performed be chemiluminescence (CL). - The results show similar CL in resting phagocytes. Upon stimulation, psoriatic macrophages display augmented CL with aggregated immunoglobulin (aggIg), zymosan (Z), and opsonized zymosan (C3b), macrophages with aggIg, Z, phorbol myristate acetate, and concanavalin A. - The capability for increased phagocytic CL in psoriasis may be modulated by different cell membrane receptors. Changes in the metabolism of arachidonic acid analogous to those encountered in psoriatic epidermis may be responsible for the augmented CL in psoriasis.