Increased Helper-Suppressor T-cell Ratio in Psoriasis

Numerous investigations have suggested an immunologic pathogenesis of psoriasis and diminished suppressor T-cell activity of psoriatic blood. Consequently, a study was undertaken to explain whether diminished suppressor cell activity was a result of quantitative alterations of the T-lymphocyte subpopulation. Twenty patients with psoriasis and 20 normal control subjects were randomly selected. Our findings demonstrated a significant decrease in the percentage of suppressor cells (T_γ), a significant elevation of helper cells (T_μ), and a highly significant increase in the helper-suppressor T-cell ratio (T_μ/T_γ) of psoriatic blood compared with that of normal control subjects. Our study gives further support to the possible role of immunologic factors in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. (Arch Dermatol 1982;118:966-970).