Expression of Heat Shock Protein 70 in Human Skin Cells as a Photoprotective Function after UV Exposure

BACKGROUND: Human skin is exposed to various environmental stresses, such as heat, cold, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) induced by temperature elevations, as a physiologic response to mediate repair mechanisms and reduce cellular damage. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the induction of HSPs in human skin cells after UV exposure. METHODS: We performed immunoblotting using a specific monoclonal antibody to the HSP70 family, one of the best-conserved stress proteins in humans, with cultured normal human keratinocytes, A431 cells, human melanocytes, SK30 cells, and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). RESULTS: Our results indicated that high expression of HSP70 in the unstressed state was noted in epidermal cells, including normal human keratinocytes, A431 cells, human melanocytes, and SK30 cells, but epidermal cells showed no additional up-regulation of HSP70 after UV irradiation. On the other hand, HDF expressed very small amounts of HSP70 at baseline, but significantly higher amounts of HSP70 after UV exposure. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that constitutive expression of HSP70 in epidermal cells may be an important mechanism for protection of the human epidermis from environmental stresses, such as sunlight exposure.

A Case of Childhood Hobnail Hemangioma / 대한피부과학회지

Hobnail hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor that typically presents as a small, single lesion on the skin of the trunk or limb. It occurs mainly in young or middle-aged adults (mean age: 30 years) but rarely in childhood. Histologically, hobnail hemangioma is characterized by a biphasic growth pattern, with dilated vascular spaces lined by hobnail endothelial cells in the superficial dermis, and collagen dissection narrow vascular channels in the deeper dermal parts, as well as inflammatory aggregates, fibrosis, and hemosiderin deposits. We report a case of hobnail hemangioma in a 10-year-old girl who had a violaceous papule surrounded by an ecchymotic halo on the left thigh. She underwent treatment with surgical excision with primary closure. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the first reported case of childhood hobnail hemangioma in Korean dermatological literatures.

A Case of Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome / 대한피부과학회지

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare acquired benign macular hyperpigmentation of the lips and oral mucosa which is often associated with longitudinal melanonychia. LHS is known to be an entirely benign condition with no systemic manifestations, which requires patient reassurance as the only intervention. The significance of this condition is due to its inclusion in differential diagnoses of pigmentary disorders of the oral mucosa, especially Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. We report a case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome in a 66-year-old woman who presented with longitudinal pigmented bands on her fingernails and multiple, pigmented macules on the lip and tongue.

A Study of Apoptosis in Pemphigus Vulgaris / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune bullous dermatoses of skin and mucosa characterized by loss of adhesion between keratinocytes, a process known as acantholysis. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, may participate in pathogenesis of intercellular detachment and loss of cell-matrix interaction. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the induction of apoptosis in the pemphigus lesional epidermis and to elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by pemphigus sera. METHODS: Hoechst 33342 staining was performed to determine the induction of apoptosis in the pemphigus lesional epidermis. In addition, we used HaCaT cells treated with pemphigus sera and analyzed the expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and bcl-2, bcl-xL, bax, bak by the RT-PCR method. RESULTS: In Hoechst 33342 staining, typical findings of apoptosis were observed in the pemphigus lesional epidermis showing acantholysis. RT-PCR showed the upregulation of caspase group (caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9), the downregulation of antiapoptotic bcl-2 family (bcl-2, bcl-xL) and the upregulation of proapoptotic bcl-2 family (bax, bak). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that apoptosis may be associated with acantholysis of pemphigus lesional epidermis and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pemphigus.

A Case of Verrucous Carcinoma on the Triangular Fossa of Auricle / 대한피부과학회지

Verrucous carcinoma is a low grade and well-differentiated, unusual variant of squamous cell carcinoma. It is a slowly-growing, fungating and verrucous tumor that may penetrate deep into the tissue. In contrast to its malignant clinical feature, the tumor tends to invade locally and metastasize rarely. In addition, it has benign histologic features. It usually occurs on the oropharynx, anogenital and plantar areas. Herein, we report an unusual case of verrucous carcinoma occurring on the triangular fossa of the auricle in a 51-year-old man.

A Case of Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome with Meningioma and Sclerosing Stromal Tumor of the Ovary / 대한피부과학회지

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity. This is characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas, skeletal abnormalities, ectopic calcification, palmoplantar pits, central nervous system abnormalities, and multiple odontogenic keratocysts of the jaw. We report a case of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome occurring in 14 year old girl, she had multiple basal cell carcinomas, spina bifida in the cervical vertebrae, forked ribs, hypertelorism, ectopic calcification of falx cerebri, palmoplantar pits, medulloblastoma, meningioma and sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary. Her father had the same clinical features.

A Case of Eccrine Poroma on the Scalp / 대한피부과학회지

Eccrine poroma is a benign neoplasm, whicn is thought to originate from the eccrine sweat gland. Previous studies suggest that these are primarily lesions of the hairless acral surface. We report a clinicopathological case of a 30-year-old man who presented with a 2.0 by 1.2 cm sized, unusual scalp lesion, which proved to be an eccrine poroma. There has been no local recurrence in the 4 months since complete excision.