Neutrophil leukocyte migration in psoriasis vulgaris.

Neutrophil migration in patients with psoriasis vulgaris was assessed using both in vitro and in vivo techniques. In vitro chemotaxis towards endotoxin-activated serum and casein was found to be normal; however, random filter migration was increased in patients with extensive lesions. No significant difference was observed between the effects of psoriatic and normal serum on control leukocyte in vitro migration. In vivo skin window chamber random migration and chemotaxis towards 50% autologous serum were also found to be normal in uninvolved skin, regardless of disease severity. We have not been able to confirm previous reports of abnormal leukocyte chemotaxis in psoriasis, and submit that neutrophil migration into psoriatic plaques in vivo is the result of a local accumulation of chemotactic factors rather than of enhanced leukocyte chemotactic activity.