Flow cytometry as a tool for the study of cell kinetics in skin 2. Cell kinetic data in psoriasis.

Flow cytometry was used to measure the DNA content of epidermal keratinocytes from psoriatic patients. Gross deviations were found in the lesions and minor but significant changes in the uninvolved skin. Statistical analysis revealed that the rather large variation in the DNA distribution of the lesions was due to inter-individual differences rather than to intra-individual differences. The duration of the S-phase seemed to be prolonged in the lesion, but the length of the overall cell cycle might be of the same order as that of normal skin.