Expression of heat shock protein 72 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris.

The expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 72 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) was studied. PBMC isolated freshly from patients with PPP expressed HSP72, while those from psoriasis patients did not. PBMC from patients with PPP continued to express it in in vitro cultures at 37 degrees C. This expression was further augmented by in vitro heat stimulation at 43 degrees C. Immunofluorescence studies showed that approximately 20% of PBMC from patients with PPP were stained positively with anti-HSP72 antibody. HSP72 was expressed on both nonadherent and adherent cells of PBMC. These findings suggest that PBMC from patients with PPP may produce HSP72 spontaneously through their in vivo exposure to stressful agents.