Cynthia L. Marcelo, John J. Voorhees
DOI: 10.2340/00015555922224

Both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are proliferative skin disordcrs that are self-limited, show hereditary tendencies and are postulated to result from changes in the cyclic AMP-beta adrenergic system of the epidermis. Cyclic nucleotides, polyamines, arachidonic acid and its metabolites, and several drugs are associated with changes in the hyperproliferative epidermis. These biologically active compounds have been shown to affect the in vitro function of both neonatal and adult human primary culture systems. These in vitro model systems can be used to study the growth mechanisms of hyperplastic skin disorders.