The Effects of Interferon -gamma on the Expression of Bullous Pemphigoid Antigen Genes in Cultured Keratinocytes / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) has been shown to regulate epidermal keratinocyte growth and differentiation and can be isolated from subepidermal vesicles in bullous pemphigoid (BP) patients. In general, the IFN-gamma effects ate up-regulatory, and the corresponding transcriptional mechanisms have been elucidated in the case of several genes. One of the markers of the mitotic basal cell phenotype is the expression of BP antigens (BFAG), two hemidesmosomal proteins that were initially recognized as autoantigens in BP. OBJECTIVE: Since down-regulation of BPA gene expression is one of the earliest events during epidermal differentiation and BPAG is served as the target of autoantibodies, in this study, we examined the effect of IFN-gammaon the expression of the gene encoding the BPAG1 and 2. METHODS AND RESULTS: Northern analysis revealed a dose dependent suppression of BPAG expression by IFN-gamma in cultured human skin keratinocytes from 3 different donors, and incubation of the cells with IFN-gamma in the presence of cycloheximide demonstrated that this effect reqiured ongoing protein synthesis. Transient transfections of cultured keratinocytes with BPAG1 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene plasmids indicated marked suppression of the promoter activity by IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: This data, which inactivation of transcription of a basal keratinocyte-specific gene(BPAGl) by IFN-gamma. pravides new insight into the mechanisms of IFN-gamma mediated keratinocyte gene regulation and epidermal differentitation in inflammatory and blistering skin disease.

Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis in a patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한피부과학회지

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis(EV) is a rare, sometimes familial disorder characterized by chronic infection with EV-specific HPV types. It manifests itself as numerous flat warts, red and brownish macules, and pityriasis versicolor-like lesions. Immunodeficient staies such as AIDS renal transplantation, Hodgkins dis ase, and systemic lupus erythematosus, have been associated with EV. We report a case of a 42-year old female with EV, with lesions on the chest, shoulders, and back, For about the past 2, years, she had been treated with prednisolone for systemic lupus erythematosus. Histopathological findings revealed loose basket-weave-like hyperkeratosis and there were clear large cells arranged in nests in the granular and spinous layers. Their nuclei were shrunken and pyknotic, and the clear cytoplasm was dotted with dispersed keratohyaline granules of different sizes anr shapes. Electron microscopic findings showed aggregates of many viral particles in the nuclei of displastic epidermal keratinocytes. Pan papilloma virus monoclonal Antibody positive nuclei were shown by immunoperoxidase staining. She has been treated with CO, laser and Tretinoin(0.1% ) oin ment. The patient is being monitored for any signs of recurrence for a period of 5months.