R. H. Cormane

IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE OF THE SKIN: THE INTERPRETATION OF THE STAINING OF BLOOD VESSELS AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE AIDED BY NEW TECHNIQUES

SUMMARY.– Basic technical aspects of immunofluorescence (IF) methods such as section cutting, substrate tissue, the purity of the fluorescein labelled antisera, and the optical properties of the fluorescence microscope, are discussed in relation to standardizing them. Direct and indirect fluorescence methods are mentioned.

The role of lymphoid cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

The occurrence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in eluates of lymphoid cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes obtained in seven untreated psoriasis patients could be demonstrated by means of the indirect immunofluorescence technique.

DIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENT STUDY OF THE SKIN ON OCCURRENCE OF COMPLEMENT IN PEMPHIGUS

In 6 cases of pemphigus (4 pemphigus vulgaris, 1 pemphigus vegetans and 1 pemphigus erythematosus) the direct immunofluorescent method (DIF) revealed various complement factors, as there are Clq, C4 (β1E), β1A and α2D, localized in the intercellular spaces of the epidermis of the skin or mucosa immediately next to the bulla.

Immunoglobulin‐ and complement‐bearing lymphocytes in allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis (eczema)*

The distribution pattern of immunoglobulin‐ or complement‐bearing lymphocytes in healthy controls and in patients with contact dermatitis and with atopic dermatitis has been investigated. A significant predominance of IgD‐ and C3‐bearing lymphocytes was found in ten patients with contact dermatitis. In atopic dermatitis patients the number of IgE‐ and to a lesser extent of C3‐bearing lymphocytes was increased. The results indicate induction of stimulation of two distinct classes of immuno‐logically competent lymphoid cell lines, one in contact and the other in atopic dermatitis. The increased number of B‐cells in dermatitis indicates a decreased T‐cell population and suggests a deficiency or disturbance of the recirculation of this population.

An immunohistopathological study on the synthesis of immunoglobulins and complement in normal and pathological skin and the adjacent mucous membranes

To visualize the cells in skin and mucous membranes in which synthesis of immunoglobulins and complement had been demonstrated, the direct and indirect immunofluorescence techniques were applied, using a fluorescence microscope with epi‐illumination, and blue narrow‐band excitation light.

HISTOPATHOLOGY OF THE SKIN IN ACQUIRED AND HEKEDITARY PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDA

Summary.— Immiunofluorescence studies suggest that complement components play a part in bringing about the clinical cbanges in light‐exposed skin of patients with symptomatic and hereditary porpbyria cutanea tarda.

IMMUNO‐HISTOPATHOLOGY OF THE SKIN IN PEMPHIGOID

SUMMARY.— The in vivo direct immunofluorescent (DIF) staining patterns of the skin surrounding the lesions of 5 patients suffering from pemphigoid are reported.

Oral retinoic acid as therapy for erythrokeratoderma variabilis

Oral retinoic acid successfully and rapidly helped two patients with erythrokeratoderma variabilis. Treatment had to be maintained to prevent recurrence and no side effects have been observed so far.

Initial photochemotherapy of psoriasis with orally administered 8‐methoxypsoralen and longwave ultraviolet light ‘PUVA)

One hundred and seven patients with psoriasis underwent initial PUVA therapy. Complete clearance was obtained in 52·3% of the patients, incomplete in 40·2% while 7·5% of the patients did not respond at all. The non‐responders to the regular PUVA treatment regime ‘0·5 mg 8‐MOP/kg body weight) were given an increased 8‐MOP ‘8‐methoxypsoralen) dose schedule ‘0·6 mg 8‐MOP/kg body weight) and in 90·9% of these patients their lesions cleared after 35 PUVA exposures. However, a small percentage ‘9·1%) of the non‐responders to the normal dose schedule did not want to continue the increased 8‐MOP dose schedule because of persistent nausea. For this reason they were given regular PUVA therapy and they reacted well, but only after fifty‐five exposures.

Elution of antibodies from the lymphocyte membrane in certain dermatoses. Preliminary communication.

The lymphocyte eluates of three patients with discoid lupus erythematosus and two patients with pemphigoid possessed basement membrane antibody of the IgG class either for normal human skin or guinea‐pig lip.