Role of adhesion molecules in the development of pustular lesions in patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris.

The expression of adhesion molecules and the ligands on endothelial cells and infiltrating inflammatory cells in lesional skin specimens from patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris was studied. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin were expressed on endothelial cells of microvessels in the papillary dermis. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was also expressed focally on keratinocytes in the epidermis of the lesional skin. On the other hand, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, Mac-1 and sialyl Lewis(x) were expressed on infiltrating inflammatory cells. Further, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that circulating leukocytes in peripheral blood from patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris expressed the ligands of adhesion molecules. It is therefore suggested that the expression of adhesion molecules and the ligands on circulating leukocytes, endothelial cells, infiltrating inflammatory cells and keratinocytes might be closely related to the formation of pustular lesions in patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris.