Abstract: Objective To investigate the differentiation of dendritic cells from monocytes of the peripheral blood in patients with psoriasis. Methods Flow cytometry was used to analyze the phenotype of monocyte derived dendritic cells (MoDC). The capacity of MoDC to stimulate the proliferation of T lymphocytes was evaluated by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Results Monocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis could differentiate into dendritic cells. Expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR by MoDC was significantly increased in patients with psoriasis compared with that in normal controls (P<0.01). The capacity of MoDC to stimulate T lymphocytes was enhanced significantly in patients'group as well (P<0.01). Conclusions The differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells is upregulated in psoriasis, and these cells have potent antigen presenting capacities.

Key words: Psoriasis, Dendritic cells, Cell differentiation, Monocytes