| Research Abstract |
1) This project was initially planned to clarify roles of plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor, plasma kallikrein, tissue kallikrein and high molecular weight and low molecular weight kininogens in skin inflammatory disorders, mainly focusing on psoriasis and palmo-plantar pustulosis. We obtained certain results that have been reported individually. Furthermore, the following results, that are more than initial expectation, were yielded.
2) Leukocyte chemotactic activity was shown in culture supernatant of Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis, and Sporotrichum schenkii. Chromatographic investigation revealed that the chemotactic activities are due to low molecular weight polypeptides. Relationship with the activity of inflammatory proteases are still under the investigation.
3) Thrombomodulin is a regulatory factor that traps thrombin on the surface of endothelium. Immunohistochemical study with anti-thrombomodulin demonstrated that the immunoreaction traces neovascularization in the inflammatory tissue.
4) Stress (heat-shock) proteins (HSPS) are genetically highly conserved molecules that shares common antigen determinants even between microorganisms and humans. HSP with molecular weight of 65 kD (HSP65) originally isolated from mycobacteria, such as M. tuberculosis and M. leprae, have been shown causative common antigen that induces rheumatic arthritis, insulin-dependent diabetes, and other auto-immune alterations. Preliminary investigation by us showed circulating antibody to HSP65 in pustular, erythematous, angitic and psoriatic disorders that are accounted by focal infection theory. Further investigation in relation to gammadeltaT-lymphocyte activity and leukocyte protease activity are in progress.
5) New directions are thus innovated through this project.
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