Abstract: In order to study chromosomal aberrations of lymphocytes and keratinocytes in patients with psoriasis and the relationship to HBV, we analysed the karyotypes in preparations from in vitro cultures of lymphocytes and keratinocytes from 12 patients with psoriasis and controls. Moreover, we examined HBV in them with the use of polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the frequency of aneuploid cells of lymphocytes in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher than that of keratinocytes and normal human lymphocytes, and that there was 11q23: in a C11 chromosome from the skin lesion of a patient, and that no HBV was detected in every preparation. It suggests that the chromosomal numerical aberrations of lymphocytes play a part of role in the development of psoriasis, and that the chromosomal aberrations of psoriatic lymphocytes and the proliferative status of psoriatic keratinocytes do not implicate the HBV gene.

Key words: Psoriasis, Lymphocytes, Keratinocytes, Chromosome aberrations, Hepatitis B virus