Expression of Claudin-1 in the Fetal Skin during the Developmental Stage / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Claudins are integral membrane proteins at tight junctions of simple epithelium and have an important role in cell-cell adhesion and barrier function. Their altered expression modifies the biological function and behavior of epithelial cells. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe the distribution and the degree of expression of claudin-1 during fetal skin development. METHODS: The expression of claudin-1 in the fetal skin was analyzed after immunohistochemical stain was performed on paraffin embedded tissue of sole and scalp of 34 human fetuses, ranging from 10 to 39 weeks of gestational age, using anti-human monoclonal antibody against the claudin-1. RESULTS: Claudin-1 appeared strongly in the sole skin at the 12th week of gestation thereafter expressed more in middle layer in epidermis of the sole and the scalp. Inner root sheaths and early hair germ cells were strongly positive in fetal hair development. Eccrine gland epithelium was positive in later stages. Focal positive expression in superficial layer and strong in middle layer were noted in oral mucosa side of the lip. CONCLUSION: Claudin-1 showed slightly different expression in skin and oral mucosa and has a important role in the development of tight junction and barrier formation in skin and mucosa during fetal stage.

Expression of Low Molecular Weight Keratin (K8/18) in Fetal Skin Development / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The epidermis and adnexal epithelium might express different types of keratin (K) during fetal development. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to observe the distribution of K8/18 in the skin of fetuses and to find out the distinction of expressions of K8/18 during fetal development. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was applied to the skin of the scalp and sole of 42 fetuses ranging from 10 to 39 weeks of gestation. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies with CAM5.2 using LSAB kit against K8/18 was conducted. RESULTS: In the skin of the scalp, K8/18 was expressed in the periderm and basal layer of epidermis from the 10th week to the 31st week of fetal gestation. K8/18 was expressed in the hair germ, bulge and basal cells of fetal the infundibulum and sebaceous glands. Root sheath cells were weakly positive but matrix cells were negative. The expression of K8/18 was negative in the basal layer of the sole. Merkel cells, which are located in the basal layer and upper dermis, were positive from the 12th week of gestation. Terminal eccrine ducts and acinar cells were positive after the 20th week of gestation. CONCLUSION: K8/18 in the skin of the scalp and sole of fetuses were expressed in different ways. The expression of K8/18 in the basal cells of the sole were negative while basal cells of the epidermis of the scalp were positive transiently from the 12th to the 31st week of gestation. Early hair germ cells and bulge cells were expressed strongly in hair follicles. Terminal eccrine ducts and acini were expressed strongly in the eccrine gland. Merkel cells located in the basal layer and papillary dermis also express K8/18.

A Case of Scalp Metastasis Manifested as the Presenting Sign of Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한피부과학회지

Cutaneous metastasis from the papillary thyroid carcinoma is rare. An otherwise asymptomatic 57-year-old man presented with a 3 year history of a steadily-enlarging scalp nodule. The histopathologic features showed a complicated pattern of follicular architecture formed by papilliform fibrovascular stroma. The tumor cells stained positive for thyroglobulin. A subsequent thyroid sonogram revealed multiple nodules in both lobes and resection of the thyroid gland identified papillary thyroid carcinoma. The solitary scalp nodule was presenting sign of an occult thyroid carcinoma. We report a case of cutaneous metastasis from the papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica: Report of a Case / 대한피부과학회지

Necrobiosis Lipoidica is a skin disorder of unknown cause, which shows characteristic clinical and histological findings. With histochemical studies, we report of a case which oecurred on the both pretibial surfaces in a 5]-year-old female. Having had treatment with aspirin and dipyridarnole for 9 months. The results were successful.