Alterations of surface receptors on intralesional neutrophils in pustular psoriasis and palmo-plantar pustulosis.

Alterations of binding capacity of surface IgG-Fc and complement receptors were demonstrated in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) obtained from the pustular lesions of psoriasis. A marked decrease of C3 receptors, but not of IgG-Fc, was found in PMNs from the lesions of palmo-plantar pustulosis (PPP) and bacterial pustules. PMNs from pustular lesions of psoriasis exhibited only a slight decrease in the number of C3 receptors. No significant decrease in membrane receptors was noted in circulating PMNs from psoriatic patients. We suggest that mechanisms of formation of aseptic subcorneal pustules, mediated by PMN membrane receptors for C3 fragments, are different in pustular psoriasis and PPP.