Identification of two endogenous neutrophil-activating peptides in psoriatic skin and inflammatory cells: C5ades arg and NAP.

Migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) into the upper layers of involved epidermis represents a characteristic feature of psoriasis. By analysis of psoriatic scale material we were able to identify two potent proinflammatory peptides, which are present in the upper epidermis from psoriatic lesions. Both factors (C5ades arg and NAP) show strong chemotactic activity for human neutrophils in vitro as well as in vivo. Whereas C5ades arg is a known mediator activated by either alternative or classical activation of the complement cascade, NAP represents a newly detected peptide with a molecular weight of 8,000 daltons which is produced by a variety of cells participating in the psoriatic tissue reaction.