DEOXYRTBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) LOSS, CELL LOSS AND CELL TURNOVER IN EXFOLTATIVE PSORIASIS

SUMMARY. DNA was measured in the naturally exfoliated skin scales from 2 patients with generalized exfoliative psoriasis. The mean DNA values indicated that the rate of loss of cells from the skin in these 2 patients was approximately 4 million/min. No DNA was found in skin scales from 3 patients with ichthyosis vulgaris. The difference in DNA content of scales in these disorders appeared to reflect the fact that psoriatic scales were nucleated, whereas the ichthyotic ones were not. It is suggested that the DNA content of psoriatic scales is a reflection of the high turnover of epithelial cells in this condition.