Flow cytometric quantification of T6-positive cells in psoriatic epidermis after PUVA and methotrexate therapy

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Abstract
We describe a flow cytometric technique for measuring the percentage of T6-positive cells in suspensions prepared by trypsinization of human epidermis. The value obtained for healthy controls (1.55 .+-. 0.52%) corresponds to about 600 T6-positive cells per mm2 of skin surface, a figure in line with histological estimates. No significant change was found in the percentage of T6-positive cells in either the uninvolved or lesional epidermis of untreated psoriatic patients. PUVA treatment resulted in a significant reduction in T6-positive cells. A cyclic fluctuation in the numbers of T6-positive cells was shown to accompany methotrexate administration on a weekly divided dose schedule.