Inflammatory and Immune Cell Function in Psoriasis: II. Monocyte Function, Lymphokine Production

We have previously confirmed that subjects with psoriasis have a alteration of cell-mediated immune responses. We now report a possible in vitro corollary; the amount of lymphokine (lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor) released by both antigen-stimulated and control lymphocytes is decreased in psoriatic subjects; 61% of similar values for normal subjects. Monocyte migration to complement-derived chemotactic factors is reported to directly correlate to skin tests; however, in psoriasis the relation is inverse, i.e., a 200% increase in complement factors and 136% increase to lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor in monocyte migration is noted in psoriatic subjects when compared with normal subjects. This increased migration does not correlate with amount of disease and is still present in “disease-free” subjects. Culturing monocytes from psoriatic subjects in media alone demonstrates they reduce more (205%) nitroblue tetrazolium than do monocytes of normal subjects. These data demonstrate that monocytes from subjects with psoriasis are altered and suggest and apparent inherent metabolic disorder.