Inflammatory cell accumulation in response to intracutaneous Paf-acether: a mediator of acute and persistent...

The ether-linked phospholipid, Paf-acether (AGEPC) is released from a variety of inflammatory cell types and has properties consistent with those of a mediator of inflammation. We have examined the effects of locally administered Paf-acether on cellular accumulation in the skin of experimental animals and man by histological evaluation of sequential skin biopsies and quantification of accumulation of radiolabelled blood elements. In guinea-pig skin, immediate extravasation of plasma protein and intravascular accumulation of platelets and neutrophils was succeeded by a persistent mixed cellular infiltrate predominantly of neutrophils but also containing lymphocytes and histiocytes. Radiolabelling studies were consistent with these observations. Intradermal Paf-acether elicited persistent clinical and histopathological responses in human skin. The finding that Paf-acether is able to initiate cutaneous cellular accumulation may be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory dermatoses.