Immunohistochemical Study of Expression of Involucrin, Loricrin, Filaggrin and Bcl-2 in Psoriasis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of psoriasis remains uncertain. It is known that a variety of factors take a role in its pathogenesis. One of them is the alteration of keratinocytes differentiation. The terminal differentiation of keratinocytes includes the process of the synthesis of proteins such as involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin and cornifin, and produce keratohyaline granules and a structure termed cornified cell envelope finally. And the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes is known as a process of apoptosis, programmed cell death. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we tried to clarify the pathogenetic mechanisms of psoriasis by comparing the expression patterns of several proteins(involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin) associated with keratinocyte differentiation and of bcl-2 protein, known as inhibitor of apoptosis, between lesional and non-lesional psoriatic skin. RESULTS: The results were summarized as follows, firstly early expression of involucrin in lower epidermis, secondly no or reduced expression of filaggrin and loricrin in upper epidermis and lastly no expression of bcl-2 in basal layer of psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION: This study clarified that the accelerated terminal differentiation, the shortening of cell-cycle of keratinocytes, and the increased turnover of keratinocytes may be involved in the pathogenetic role of psoriasis.

Rupture of Renal Artery in a Patient with Behçet's Disease

The vascular involvement is seen in 8% to 24% of patients with Behçet's syndrome. Arterial lesions are less frequently observed and the involvement of renal artery is very rare. Indeed, there is only one case report of ruptured renal aneurysm due to Behc et's disease. We report a case of renal artery rupture, which was likely caused by Behçet's disease. Even though we cannot completely rule out the other causes of renal artery rupture with this patient, the rupture was likely due to vascular involvement of Behçet's disease. Dermatologists always should consider the possibility of major vessel involvement when they treat patients with Behçet's disease, even if the incidence is very low and the patient may not complain of any systemic symptoms. INTRODUCTION: Behçet's disease was first defined by Hulusi Behçet's in 1937 as a multisystemic disease with the triad of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, genital ulceration and relapsing iritis. Its etiology remains obscure. It is accepted that the pathologic process of Behçet's disease is an immunologic vasculitis. Among vascilar lesions, the venous system is the major affected site. Arterial lesions, such as aneurysms or occlusions, are rarely reported, but sometimes adversely affects the course of the disease. Aneurysm formation is known to be life-threatening because of the risk of rupture.

A Case of Tubular Apocrine Adenoma

Tubular apocrine adenoma(TAA) is a rare benign neoplasm usually found on the scalp. It has been designated as an apocrine histogenesis on the basis of its ultrastructural characteristics, enzyme, and immunohistochemical phenotype. Histopathologically the neoplasm consists of tubules or cysts, which show signs of apocrine secretion and sometimes needs to be differentiated from papillary eccrine adenoma. We report a typical case of TAA on nostril which shows differentiation toward apocrine in nature.

Phakomatosis Pigmentovascularis Associated with Pyogenic Granuloma as well as Sturge-Weber Syndrome and Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome

A 21-year-old Korean male was referred to our department in June, 1999 for the evaluation of extensive reddish patches and gray-bluish pigmentation since birth. Physical examination revealed two kinds of patches over the various parts of the body. Reddish patches suggesting nevus flammeus were located on the left side of face, chest, and both upper and lower extremities. Gray-bluish pigmented patches suggesting nevus of Ota were found on both the periorbital areas. A 0.5×0.6 cm erythematous papule was found on the right anterior chest. The results of its histopathologic examination were compatible with pyogenic granuloma. We made the diagnosis of phakomatosis pigmentovascularis associated with pyogenic granuloma as well as Sturge-Weber syndrome and Klippel-Trenanunay syndrome.

Effects of Green tea (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and Polyphenol on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Cultured Human Keratinocytes, Melanocytes, Fibroblasts, Endothelial Cells, and Human Epidermoid Carcinoma Cells / 대한피부과학회지

It is known that skin diseases are related to proliferation of cellular components. Green tea has many favorable biologic effects: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral effects, lowering of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduction of blood pressure and platelet aggregation, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic activities. The effects of green tea on various cells in skin has been reported in previous studies; For keratinocytes and human epidermoid carcinoma cells, green tea induces apoptosis only in cancer cells, but no keratinocytes. For endothelial cells, green tea inhibits endothelial cell proliferation. For melanocytes and fibroblast, it is little known. We investigated the effects of green tea polyphenol(GTP) and the major constituents, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) on the proliferation in the cultured human keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, endothelial cells and human epidermoid carcinoma cells(A431 cells). The proliferative response was studied by the cell count and the uptake of tritiated thymidine after 48 hours of treatment. And we also observed apoptosis using TUNEL staining. The results were as follows; Number of living cells were significantly decreased(p<0.05) in cultured human epidermal cells, melanocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and A431 cells treated with different concentration of GTP and EGCG for 48 hours. The cells were decreased dose dependently as increase of concentration of the extracts. The [3H]thymidine incorporation were significantly decreased(p<0.05) in cultured human epidermal cells, melanocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and A431 cells treated with different concentration of GTP and EGCG for 48 hours. The dose dependent inhibition was also seen in [3H]thymidine incorporation by green tea extracts. Cell proliferation was significantly more inhibited(p<0.05) by EGCG compared to GTP in the same concentration. We failed to observe apoptosis of cultured human epidermal cells, melanocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and A431 cells by GTP and EGCG. In summary, green tea extracts(GTP, EGCG) showed statistically significant inhibitory effects on cultured human epidermal cells, melanocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and A431 cells. These results suggest that green tea could play a possible role in the treatment of hyperproliferative skin disease.

A Case of Aleukemic Leukemia Cutis Occurring During Spontaneous Remission of Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia / 대한피부과학회지

Aleukemic leukemia cutis is a rare condition characterized by the invasion of the skin by leukemic cells before their appearance in the peripheral blood. We report here a case, who had presented spontaneous remission of acute leukemia and 3 weeks later, have been relapsed in only the skin lesion without hematologic abnormalities. Through histopathological studies of skin lesion, the diagnosis of aleukemic leukemia cutis was made.

A Case of Pincer Nail Treated with Nail Plate Separation / 대한피부과학회지

Pincer nail is a dystrophy characterized by an increase of transverse curvature along the longitudinal axis of the nail and reaches its greatest proportion at the distal part. We report a case of a 20-year-old woman with pronounced pincer nails on both toe nails. By median longitudinal incision with use of CO2 laser, her nail plate was separated, and aluminum splint was applied on nail plate. Her pain disappeared one month after treatment. The treated nail showed a normal shape even at the 12 months of follow-up. We recommend nail plate separation as a good method for treatment of pincer nail.

A case of xanthogranuloma in adult / 대한피부과학회지

Juvenile xanthogranuloma(JXG) is a benign disorder in which one, several, or occasionally numerous red to yellow nodules are present. The lesion may be present at birth, but usually arises in early infancy. Adult-onset xanthogranuloma clinically differ from juvenile xanthogranuloma in that the lesion is usually solitary and does not involve internal organs, and generally does not resolve without treatment. We report a case of xanthogranuloma in adult which occurred on the scalp and the trunk of 52-year-old male showing typical clinical and histopathological findings.

A case of xanthogranuloma in adult / 대한피부과학회지

Juvenile xanthogranuloma(JXG) is a benign disorder in which one, several, or occasionally numerous red to yellow nodules are present. The lesion may be present at birth, but usually arises in early infancy. Adult-onset xanthogranuloma clinically differ from juvenile xanthogranuloma in that the lesion is usually solitary and does not involve internal organs, and generally does not resolve without treatment. We report a case of xanthogranuloma in adult which occurred on the scalp and the trunk of 52-year-old male showing typical clinical and histopathological findings.