What is the role of autoantibodies in the pathophysiology of guttate psoriasis?

Answer

Immunoblotting has demonstrated intense antistreptococcal antibody activity in the sera of patients with guttate psoriasis. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against 3 different S pyogenes proteins—namely, a 60-, a 70-, and a 14-kd antigen—have been identified. Indirect immunofluorescence studies of these antibodies showed that they react only with autologous skin in patients with guttate psoriasis and not with normal skin or lesional skin from patients who do not have psoriasis.^{[39, 45]}

Autoantibodies in psoriatic sera may recognize certain structures in the transformed keratinocytes of affected psoriatic skin. These autoantibodies cross-react with streptococcal antigens. Cross-reaction has been demonstrated on immunofluorescent microscopy by using a monoclonal antibody (mAb 111-15504) to group A streptococci, which does not cross-react with antigens in normal human skin. These antigens were associated with class 1M protein and were mostly concentrated in the dermal papillae around the capillaries and inside the cells of the epidermal basal layer.

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Media Gallery

Guttate psoriasis. The distinctive, acute clinical presentation of guttate psoriasis characterized by small, droplike, 1-10 mm in diameter, salmon-pink papules, usually with a fine scale. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.
Guttate psoriasis. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.
Guttate psoriasis. Note characteristic lesions consisting of multiple, discrete, droplike papules with a salmon-pink hue. A fine scale, which is usually absent in early-stage lesions, may be appreciated on the more established ones. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.
Guttate psoriasis. Superficial perivascular, predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate with minimal dermal edema. The overlying epidermis has psoriasiform hyperplasia. Notice how the stratum granulosum (on right) disappears underneath the mound of parakeratosis in the stratum corneum (in center) (hematoxylin and eosin, 100X). Courtesy of Cary Chisholm, MD.
Guttate psoriasis. A Munro microabscess is present in the stratum corneum, underneath parakeratosis (in center). Neutrophils can be seen migrating through the psoriasiform epidermis, towards the microabscess (the so-called squirting papillae) (hematoxylin and eosin, 200X). Courtesy of Cary Chisholm, MD.

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Author

Kirstin Altman, MD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine

Kirstin Altman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Daniel D Bennett, MD Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Daniel D Bennett, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, Dermatology Foundation, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christen M Mowad, MD Professor, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Christen M Mowad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Mark G Lebwohl, MD Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Mark G Lebwohl, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Received none from Amgen for consultant & investigator; Received none from Novartis for consultant & investigator; Received none from Pfizer for consultant & investigator; Received none from Celgene Corporation for consultant & investigator; Received none from Clinuvel for consultant & investigator; Received none from Eli Lilly & Co. for consultant & investigator; Received none from Janssen Ortho Biotech for consultant & investigator; Received none from LEO Pharmaceuticals for consultant & inves.

Acknowledgements

Elma D Baron, MD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland; Director of Skin Study Center, University Hospitals Research Institute; Acting Chief of Dermatology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Cleveland

Elma D Baron is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Photobiology, Photomedicine Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Cary Chisholm, MD Dermatopathology Fellow, Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Cary Chisholm, MD is a member of the following medical societies: College of American Pathologists, Texas Medical Association, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Charles R Taylor, MD Associate Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School; Director of Phototherapy Unit, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Charles R Taylor, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts Medical Society, New England Dermatological Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

What is the role of autoantibodies in the pathophysiology of guttate psoriasis?

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