OBJECTIVETo examine the expressions of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and cyclin D1 in the skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and understand their possible roles in keratinocyte hyperproliferation in these patients.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expressions of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and cyclin D1 in the normal skin tissues and psoriatic lesions.

RESULTSIn normal skin tissues, positive staining for E-cadherin and beta-catenin was detected in all layers of the normal epidermis at the sites of cell-cell junctions, and downregulation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression was found in the granular layer and basal layer of the psoriatic lesions. Cyclin D1 overexpression was observed mainly in the basal layer of the lesions, which was correlated to abnormal expression of beta-catenin.

CONCLUSIONDownregulation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression and cyclin D1 overexpression in psoriatic skin are probably involved in keratinocyte hyperproliferation in psoriasis vulgaris.