CELLULAR RETINOIC ACID-BINDING PROTEIN TYPE-2 MESSENGER-RNA IS OVEREXPRESSED IN HUMAN PSORIATIC SKIN AS SHOWN BY INSITU HYBRIDIZATION

In situ hybridization with full length mouse cellular retinoic acid-binding protein type 1 and cellular retinoic acid-binding protein type 2 cDNA derived RNA probes showed overexpression of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein type 2 mRNA in lesional hyperplastic psoriatic skin whereas cellular retinoic acid-binding protein type 1 mRNA was undetectable. This suggests that the previously reported increase of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein in psoriatic epidermis corresponds to increased translation of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein type 2 gene. Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein types 1 and 2 mRNAs were not detectable in normal epidermis; however, type 2 message was detected in non hyperplastic, non lesional skin of psoriatic patients thus before altered epidermal differentiation and hyperplasia are morphologically detectable. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.