[Lectin binding of psoriatic skin].

The aim of our study was the characterization of epidermal lectin binding pattern in psoriatic vs. non-psoriatic skin in order to reveal possible alterations of the glycocalyx composition of psoriatic keratinocytes. We used fluoroisothiocyanate-labeled lectins of Canavalia ensiformis (ConA), Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA), Lens culinaris (LCA), and Helix pomatia (HPA). The binding pattern of psoriatic (involved and non-lesional) skin did not differ from the control samples in ConA, PHA, and LCA. In psoriasis, there was a prominent HPA binding to the dermo-epidermal junction and to a lesser degree, intercellular epidermal near the uppermost cell layers. In seborrheic keratosis, in contrast, there was no fluorescence of the dermo-epidermal junction or the first layers of the epidermis. The most pronounced binding was observed perinuclear in the upper epidermis. The results are discussed in the light of an altered keratinocyte maturation in psoriasis.