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Chinese Medical Association and L′Oréal Group jointly launched "China Skin & Hair Grant" from 2003 to 2018 to support Chinese dermatologists in skin and hair research. This program has not only helped improve the research capability of Chinese dermatologists, but also yielded abundant valuable Chinese population-based clinical and basic research results, and further enabled active academic communication through Chinese and international journals and conferences. This article summarizes main results of scalp- and hair-related research projects based on program records and publications.
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Objective To compare diagnostic performance of traditional vertical section technique,horizontal section technique and modified Ho-Vert technique for classical lichen planopilaris.Methods Clinical data were collected from patients with classical lichen planopilaris in Department of Dermatology,The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1st 2015 to January 1st 2019.With the help of dermoscopy,2 scalp specimens were obtained from each patient and sliced horizontally and vertically respectively by using modified Ho-Vert technique.The horizontal and vertical sections were read separately or simultaneously,and histopathological changes were observed.Results Totally,21 patients with classical lichen planopilaris were enrolled into this study,including 15 males and 6 females.Their age was 50.0 ± 13.6 years,and the average course of disease was 18 months.The patients mainly presented with muhifocal or confluent patchy hair loss,and scalp atrophy,perifollicular hyperkeratosis,loss of follicular ostia,fibrous white dots and orbit sign were observed.On the horizontal sections,lichenoid lymphocytic infiltration around the infundibulum and isthmus of hair follicles and follicular micro-scars could be observed in all patients,and the dermo-epidermal interface could be seen in 7 patients.On the vertical sections,lichenoid lymphocytic infiltration around the infundibulum and isthmus of hair follicles only could be observed in 9 patients,follicular micro-scars could be seen in 4,and the dermoepidermal interface could be observed in all patients.Moreover,the detection rates of interfollicular interface dermatitis,follicular keratotic plugs,lymphocytic infiltration around sebaceous glands,atrophy or disappearance of sebaceous glands and inflammatory infiltration around hair follicle bulbs were significantly different between the horizontal and vertical sections.In combination with clinical manifestations,7 patients could be exactly diagnosed with lichen planopilaris according to findings from horizontal sections,and 9 could be diagnosed exactly according to findings from vertical sections,while 21 could be diagnosed exactly according to histopathological findings from both horizontal and vertical sections.Conclusion With the help of dermoscopy,modified Ho-Vert technique can improve the efficacy of pathological diagnosis of classical lichen planopilaris,by multidimensionally showing histopathological changes.
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Objective@#To compare diagnostic performance of traditional vertical section technique, horizontal section technique and modified Ho-Vert technique for classical lichen planopilaris.@*Methods@#Clinical data were collected from patients with classical lichen planopilaris in Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Wuxi People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1st 2015 to January 1st 2019. With the help of dermoscopy, 2 scalp specimens were obtained from each patient and sliced horizontally and vertically respectively by using modified Ho-Vert technique. The horizontal and vertical sections were read separately or simultaneously, and histopathological changes were observed.@*Results@#Totally, 21 patients with classical lichen planopilaris were enrolled into this study, including 15 males and 6 females. Their age was 50.0 ± 13.6 years, and the average course of disease was 18 months. The patients mainly presented with multifocal or confluent patchy hair loss, and scalp atrophy, perifollicular hyperkeratosis, loss of follicular ostia, fibrous white dots and orbit sign were observed. On the horizontal sections, lichenoid lymphocytic infiltration around the infundibulum and isthmus of hair follicles and follicular micro-scars could be observed in all patients, and the dermo-epidermal interface could be seen in 7 patients. On the vertical sections, lichenoid lymphocytic infiltration around the infundibulum and isthmus of hair follicles only could be observed in 9 patients, follicular micro-scars could be seen in 4, and the dermo-epidermal interface could be observed in all patients. Moreover, the detection rates of interfollicular interface dermatitis, follicular keratotic plugs, lymphocytic infiltration around sebaceous glands, atrophy or disappearance of sebaceous glands and inflammatory infiltration around hair follicle bulbs were significantly different between the horizontal and vertical sections. In combination with clinical manifestations, 7 patients could be exactly diagnosed with lichen planopilaris according to findings from horizontal sections, and 9 could be diagnosed exactly according to findings from vertical sections, while 21 could be diagnosed exactly according to histopathological findings from both horizontal and vertical sections.@*Conclusion@#With the help of dermoscopy, modified Ho-Vert technique can improve the efficacy of pathological diagnosis of classical lichen planopilaris, by multidimensionally showing histopathological changes.
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Alopecia is a common disease in dermatologic clinics.The diagnosis of some hair diseases does not rely on pathological examinations,and with the development of science and technology,the role of many new non-invasive detection instruments,such as dermoscopy,hair scanners and skin CT,is increasingly valued in the diagnosis and treatment of hair diseases.However,the role of pathological examination is still irreplaceable.Because of the particularity of hair diseases,hair pathology differs from common skin pathology in the aspects of scalp biopsy sites,biopsy methods and techniques,tissue-slicing methods and pathological report content.This review systematically discusses the role of scalp pathological biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia.
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Objective To screen genes differentially expressed between dermal papilla cells from occipital and vertex scalp of patients with androgenic alopecia (AGA) through a 3D culture system.Methods Dermal papilla cells isolated from the occipital scalp tissue of patients with AGA were cultured in a 2D system for several days.Then,the third-passage dermal papilla cells were subjected to a 3D culture with the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for 72 hours (experimental group).The dermal papilla cells isolated from the vertex scalp tissue of patients with AGA,which were cultured in a 3D system with dimethyl sulfoxide,but not DHT,served as the control group.Subsequently,total RNA was extracted from the cells and reversely transcribed into cDNA followed by labeling with Cy3 and hybridization to a NimbleGen microarray.Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis was carried out to screen differentially expressed genes between the experimental and control group.Real time PCR was conducted to validate the results of microarray analysis.Results As the genome-wide expression profile analysis showed,there were 622 genes differentially expressed between the experimental group and control group,of which,359 were up-regulated and 263 were down-regulated in the experimental group compared with the control group.The above results were corffirmed by real time PCR.GO analysis revealed that the up-regulated genes,such as the CHEK1 and Tobl genes,were mainly involved in the inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of cell apoptosis,while the down-regulated genes,such as the BAMBI,EFNA3,Dlx3 and UCGC genes,were associated with the acceleration of cell proliferation as well as the growth and development of epidermis.Pathway analysis showed that cell circle-controlling molecules were the most abundant molecules.Conclusions Numerous signalling molecules and pathways are involved in the development of AGA,which are mainly responsible for the modulation of cell circle,proliferation and apoptosis.
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Objective To screen differentially expressed microRNAs at different stages of hair cycle in a murine model.Methods This study included 30 inbred female C57BL/6 mice (age,6-8 weeks; body weight,15-18 grams).Hair growth cycle was induced in the back skin of C57BL/6 mice by application of wax/rosin followed by depilation under anesthesia witl 1％ chloral hydrate.Three mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on day 0,8 and 20 after the induction,and skin tissue was achieved from the same depilated areas parallel to the spine.Total RNAs were extracted from the murine skin and subjected to microarray analysis of microRNA expression.Results Compared with telogen skin,the murine anagen skin showed a higher expression of miR-690,obselote-49 and miR-1308,but a lower expression of miR-291a-5p and miR-212.The expressions of miR-690,obselote-49 and miR-31 were significantly up-regulated,while those of miR-127-3p and miR-212 were downregulated in the catagen skin in comparison with the telogen skin.Conclusion Seven microRNAs are identified in this study to be differentially expressed in murine skin between different stages of hair cycle,which may provide a direction for future research.
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Objective To observe the morphological changes of hairs in two patients with loose anagen hair syndrome.Methods Light microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology of hair shaft and follicles from two patients,including a 3-year-old girl child and her mother,with loose anagen hair syndrome.Results Light microscopy revealed that hair bulb was deformed,hair shaft was distorted,damaged,and even disrupted,and hairs tapered in diameter at their distal end.Scanning electron microscopy showed deformed or distorted hair shaft and wave-like edge of hair cuticles.Transmission electron microscopy revealed that pathological changes were mainly localized in the inner root sheath with vacuolization in both inner and outer root sheath cells.Intercellular adhesion was weak with a decrease or disappearance of desmosomes.Conclusion The pathological changes of hairs are mainly localized in the inner root sheath in patients with loose anagen hair syndrome.
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Objective To investigate the mutation of type Ⅱ human hair basic keratin (hHb) gene in a family with monilethrix.Methods Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the structure of hair shafts.With informed consent,blood samples were drawn from affected and unaffected membets in this family,as well as from 50 healthy controls.Genomic DNA was isolated from these samples.The exon 1 and exon 7 of hHb1,hHb3 and hHb6 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).All the PCR products were sequenced directly using ABI3730 automated sequencer.DNA sequence alignment was carried out with BLAST software.Results A typical beaded appearance was observed in affected hairs by using scanning electron microscopy.There were obvious longitudinal ridges and sulcuses in hair node.and hair cuticles were irregularly shaped.Most cortex and medullary substance were absent in affected hairs of a patient.After sequence alignment,a G1289A point mutation in exon 7 of hHb6 gene,which led to a substitution of arginine for glutamide at codon 430,was detected in affected members of this family,but not in unaffected family members or 50 unrelated human controls.No mutation was observed in exon 1 or exon 7 of hHb1 and hHb3 gene or exon 1 of hHb6 gene.Conclusion The missense mutation of R430Q is a novel mutation.which may be associated with the pathogenesis of monilethrix in this pedigree.
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Objective To investigate the expression of angiogenin in human hair follicle and evaluate its effect on hair growth. Methods Intact anagen hair follicles were isolated from human occipital scalp ob- tained from brain surgery. Some isolated human hair follicles were directly subjected to RT-PCR and im- munohistochcmical method for the detection of the mRNA expression and protein distribution of angiogenin in, respectively; some were cultured and incubated with angiogenin (0-200 ng/mL), and the measurement of hair follicle length was performed before and after 6-day culture. Human dermal papilla cells were isolated from the remaining hair follicles, cultured, and treated with angiogenin ranging from 0 to 200 ng/mL for 48 hours, then, MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation, and flow cytometry to analyze the cell cy- cle. Results RT-PCR showed the mRNA expression of angiogenin in human hair follicles, and angiogenin protein was observed with immunohistochemistry at the hair papilla and dermal sheath. The angiogenin (25-200 ng/mL) stimulated the growth of human hair follicles in a dose-dependent manner in vitro (P < 0.05 ). Also, as flow eytometry revealed, the treatment with 12.5-200 ng/mL of angiogenin significantly pro- moted the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (P<0.05), and increased the percentage of cells in S phase as well as cell proliferation index (both P<0.05). Conclusion Angiogenin may be a novel stimulus for hair growth.
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Objective To investigate the feasibility of RNA interference(RNAi)strategy in mouse(embryonic stem)ES cells and study the possibility of RNAi in dermatological research.Methods Specific RNAi was introduced with EGFP gene as a target,either by in situ production of dsRNA from transient trans-fection of a plasmid harboring a547bp inverted repeat,or by direct transfection of dsRNA made by in vitro transcription.Gene silence of EGFP in EGFP-transgenic mouse was investigated by topical delivery of dsRNA.Results This longer dsRNA was capable of inducing a sequence-specific RNAi for the target gene in epi-some and in chromosome of ES cells.It was also shown that this sequence-specific RNAi was observed in EGFP-transgenic mouse by topical delivery of dsRNA.Conclusion These results suggest that ES cell possess RNAi activity by longer dsRNA.We first report the study on RNAi activity by topical delivery of specific dsRNA.Above findings offer a possibility to use dsRNAi for inhibition of gene expression in dermatological re-search.
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Objective To investigate the feasibility of transient transfection of human VEGF165 gene into HaCaT cells and the effects of supernatant from transfected cell culture on pig hair follicles in vitro. Methods PIRES2-EGFP-VEGF165 was transiently transfected into HaCaT cells with lipofectamine?2000. Expression of EGFP( enhanced green fluorescence protein, EGFP) was observed by laser confocal microscopy. VEGF in the supernatant was detected by ELISA. Further,the supernatant was added to pig hair follicles cultured in vitro. The growth and morphologic changes of hair follicles were measured. Results PIRES2-EGFP?VEGF165 was successfully transfected into HaCaT cells, which confirmed by laser confocal microscopy and ELISA. Moreover, the supernatant of HaCaT cells transfected with PIRES2-EGFP-VEGF165 could accelerate the growth of pig hair follicles and prolong their anagen phase. Conclusion PIRES2-EGFP-VEGF165 could be successfully transiently transfected into HaCaT cells, and expressed VEGF could upregulate the growth of pig hair follicles in vitro.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of 0.1% mometasone furoate cream in the topical treatment of eczematous dermatoses including neurodermatitis and eczema. Methods A randomized double-blind parallel controlled clinical trial was conducted. The home made mometasone furoate cream or imported Eloson cream was topically used in patients with such dermatoses once daily for 4 weeks, respectively. Symptom/sign scores were evaluated at the beginning of the treatment and at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th week after the initiation of the treatment. Results Two hundred and eighty-four patients were enrolled in the trial, including 143 patients with eczema and 141 patients with neurodermatitis. There are 142 patients each in test group and control group separately. All symptom/sign scores and total scores were significantly decreased 1, 2, 3, and 4 week after the treatment. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. The cure rate and improvement rate in eczema patients were 78.87% and 97.18% in the test group; 84.51% and 92.96% in the control group; respectively. While the cure rate and improvement rate in neurodermatitis patients were 75.71% and 100% in the test group; 80.28% and 94.37% in the control group; respectively. The cure rate and improvement rate of total patients were 77.30% and 98.58% in the test group; 82.39% and 93.64% in the control group; respectively. No statistically significant difference in efficacy was observed between the two groups. There was no severe side effect in the two groups. One patient had mild contact dermatitis in the test group. Conclusions These results suggest that 0.1% mometasone furoate cream is an effective and safe drug in the treatment of neurodermatitis and eczema.
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Objective To investigate the effect of water soluble extracts of some traditional Chinese herbs on hair growth of pig hair follicle in vitro. Methods Pig hair follicles were cultured with Williams E medium (control group) or Williams E medium with water soluble extracts of Chinese herbs (experimental group). Hair growth and morphological changes in the hair follicle bulb were observed by microscope, and apoptosis of the pig hair follicle cells was detected by a TUNEL technique. Results On day 7 of culture, the hair growth in the control group was slower than that in the experimental group (P