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A new method for preparation of soluble antigens from stratum corneum of skin is described. Homogenated callus was digested with trypsin before extraction with phenol-water. The extract sensitized sheep erythrocytes for agglutination by human sera. This agglutination was due to a true antigen-antibody reaction between stratum corneum antigen on the erythrocytes and antibodies in the human sera. The indirect haemagglutination test was as sensitive as the immune adherence test with skin sections earlier described. The antigen and antibodies involved in the two test systems are identical. All of 1,150 normal sera tested contained antibodies to stratum corneum. The titres ranged from 8 to 16,384 with mode titres of 32 and 64. Presumably, the antibodies are natural hetero- or auto-antibodies.

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The dermal mononuclear cell infiltrates of psoriatic lesions were characterized by receptors for sheep erythrocytes (T-lymphocytes), C3b receptors (macrophages and B-lymphocytes) and C3d receptors (B-lymphocytes), using hemadsorption to cryostat sections in a closed chamber. T-lymphocytes and macrophages were the predominant inflammatory cells. Very few B-lymphocytes were detected. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible pathogenetic signficance of cellular immunity in psoriasis.

No abstract