Angiogenic capability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in psoriasis.

The angiogenic capability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) from patients with psoriasis was tested by lymphocyte-induced angiogenesis assay. The study was performed in 36 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, six with generalized pustular psoriasis of the von Zumbusch type, and five with palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis. When patients with psoriasis vulgaris were considered as a whole, no significant differences in the angiogenic capability of their MNCs could be detected, as compared with controls. However, when cases of psoriasis were classified into various types, the differences in angiogenic capability of MNCs became evident. This capability was found to be markedly increased in the active form of psoriasis vulgaris and decreased in the stationary stage of the disease. It was increased in palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis but markedly decreased in generalized pustular psoriasis of the von Zumbusch type.