COMP-angiopoietin 1 Gene Transfer Enhances Cutaneous Wound Healing by Promoting Angiogenesis

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is crucial for wound healing and exogenous supplements of the angiogenic growth factors have been known to promote cutaneous wound healing. Angiopoietin (Ang) 1 is a recently discovered angiogenic factor and there have been few studies of its effect on cutaneous wound healing. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of Ang 1 on cutaneous wound healing. METHODS: Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP)-Ang 1 (Ade-COMP-Ang 1)- was intravenously injected to rats two days before surgery creating full-thickness wounds. The clinical wound healing rate and the number of vessels in the skin samples were evaluated on days 3, 7 and 14 post operation. RESULTS: At post-operation day 3, 7 and 14, the clinical wound healing rate was 38.3%, 59.4% and 92.1%, respectively, in the Ade-COMP-Ang 1-treated group, compared with 20.5%, 47.5% and 87.3%, respectively, in the Ade-LacZ-treated group. There were significant differences in the results of day 3 and day 7 between two groups (p<0.05). Histopathologically, the number of the vessels of the Ade-COMP-Ang 1-treated group was 73.7, 94.1 and 62.7 at day 3, 7 and 14, compared with that of the Ade-LacZ-treated group, 53.5, 83.9, and 56.9. The differences in the results of the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Ade-COMP-Ang 1 therapy significantly accelerats wound healing by promoting angiogenesis. However, further study using Ade-COMP-Ang 1 gene therapy for chronic wounds in which the formation of new blood vessels is impaired is needed in the near future.

Expression of Toll-Like Receptors in Verruca and Molluscum Contagiosum

Recent studies indicate that several Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are implicated in recognizing viral structures and instigating immune responses against viral infections. The aim of this study is to examine the expression of TLRs and proinflammatory cytokines in viral skin diseases such as verruca vulgaris (VV) and molluscum contagiosum (MC). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining of skin samples were performed to determine the expression of specific antiviral and proinflammatory cytokines as well as 5 TLRs (TLR2, 3, 4, 7, and 9). In normal human skin, TLR2, 4, and 7 mRNA was constitutively expressed, whereas little TLR3 and 9 mRNA was detected. Compared to normal skin (NS), TLR3 and 9 mRNA was clearly expressed in VV and MC specimens. Likewise, immunohistochemistry indicated that keratinocytes in NS constitutively expressed TLR2, 4, and 7; however, TLR3 was rarely detected and TLR9 was only weakly expressed, whereas 5 TLRs were all strongly expressed on the epidermal keratinocytes of VV and MC lesions. In addition, the mRNA expression of IFN-beta and TNF-alpha was upregulated in the VV and MC samples. Immunohistochemistry indicated that IFN-beta and TNF-alpha were predominately localized in the granular layer in the VV lesions and adjacent to the MC bodies. Our results indicated that VV and MC skin lesions expressed TLR3 and 9 in addition to IFN-beta and TNF-alpha. These viral-induced proinflammatory cytokines may play a pivotal role in cutaneous innate immune responses.

A Case of Congenital Melanocytic Nevus Undergoing Regression in Association with Vitiligo / 대한피부과학회지

Congenital melanocytic nevi rarely develop depigmentation, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We, herein, present a case of congenital melanocytic nevus which has undergone progressive involution in association with vitiligo. A 23-year-old man had a dark brownish patch partially surrounded by the depigmented patch on his mid back. He also had multiple depigmented patches on his trunk and neck, which had developed since the age of 5. Histopathologic examination from the dark brownish patch adjacent to the depigmented area showed typical findings of compound nevus with a mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltration. TUNEL staining from the same lesion demonstrated many strong positive epidermal basal cells as well as dermal nevus cells, indicative of apoptosis.