Transforming growth factor-beta s (TGF-beta s) are a family of growth factors with inhibitory effects on epithelial cell proliferation. Their effects are mediated by two interacting receptors, of which type I (T beta R-I) mediates signal transduction after interaction with type II (T beta R-II) carrying the TGF-beta ligand. We have studied the expression of T beta R-I and T beta R-II in psoriatic and normal human skin by using polyclonal rabbit antisera and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an intense immunoreactivity for both receptors in the basal and often also suprabasal layer of normal and non-lesional psoriatic epidermis. In contrast, all psoriatic lesions studied lacked detectable immunoreactivity of either receptor in the epidermis. The results suggest that lack of TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition by down-regulation of TGF-beta receptor expression may play an important part in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.