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Platelet activating factor (PAF) and lyso-PAF in psoriasis
M R Judge1, R M Barr, A I Mallet
1St John's Institute of Dermatology, UMDS, St Thomas's Hospital, London, UK.
Archives of Dermatological Research
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Platelet activating factor (PAF) levels were similar in psoriatic and healthy skin. However, reduced lyso-PAF in uninvolved psoriatic skin challenges existing psoriasis inflammation hypotheses.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Psoriatic scale has shown high levels of platelet activating factor (PAF).
- PAF and its precursor, lyso-PAF, are implicated in inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify PAF and lyso-PAF in skin exudates from psoriatic and healthy subjects.
- To investigate the role of extracellular PAF in psoriasis inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of PAF and lyso-PAF in exudates from lesional psoriatic, uninvolved psoriatic, and healthy skin.
- Comparison of levels between the different skin types and subject groups.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in PAF levels was found across lesional psoriatic, uninvolved psoriatic, and healthy skin.
- Lyso-PAF levels were significantly lower in uninvolved psoriatic skin compared to both lesional psoriatic and healthy skin.
- These findings were unexpected given the known association of increased phospholipase-A2 activity with psoriasis.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular PAF does not appear to be a major contributor to psoriasis inflammation.
- Reduced lyso-PAF in uninvolved psoriatic skin warrants further investigation.