The Effects of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Formation ofEpidermis and Basement Membrane in Artificial Skin Models / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing need for making a more ideal artificial skin model. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ATMSC) on the formation of epidermis and basement membrane in artificial skin models. METHODS: ATMSC were isolated from lipo-aspirated fat tissues, and their phenotypes were confirmed by cell surface markers. Three kinds of artificial skin models were made using three different dermal substitutes. The dermal substitutes in the three models contained fibroblasts only, fibroblasts together with ATMSC or ATMSC only. The formation of epidermis and basement membrane was evaluated by immunohistochemical stains and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Among the three models, the model with both fibroblasts and ATMSC in the dermal substitute showed the most excellent formation of epidermis and, especially, basement membrane. In this model, the basement membrane proteins, laminin and type IV collagen, were expressed most apparently at the dermo-epidermal junction and, lamina lucida, lamina densa and anchoring fibrils were most evidently observed under transmission electron microscopy. Whereas, the model with only ATMSC did not show keratin 1 expression, suggesting that the 'skin-type' stratified squamous epithelium was not formed well. CONCLUSION: ATMSC together with fibroblasts can be used effectively in constructing artificial skin models.

Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Lymphoproliferative Lesion Presenting as a Hydroa Vacciniforme-like Eruption / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been several reports of patients with a severe hydroa vacciniforme (HV)-like eruption from Asia and Latin America. The cutaneous lesions are present in both sun-exposed and nonexposed areas in these patients unlike true HV. Several patients have died of malignant hematologic malignancies. The latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been detected in the skin lesions of the patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular pathological features of the patients with EBV associated lymphoproliferative lesion presenting as a HV-like eruption. METHODS: The clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of 16 patients were reviewed. The presence of T-cell receptor (TCR)-gamma gene rearrangement was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Photoprovocation by repetitive UVA exposure was performed in five patients. In situ hybridization was performed to detect mRNA for EBV in the lesional skin biopsy specimen, lymph node biopsy specimen, mucosal biopsy specimen of stomach, and the skin biopsy specimen of photo-provoked site. PCR was performed to detect DNA for EBV in the skin biopsy specimens of 6 patients and peripheral mononuclear cells of 2 patients. RESULTS: The severity of the skin lesion and the clinical course varied among the patients. Skin biopsy specimens obtained from a papule or a vesicle showed perivascular and periadnexal infiltrate of lymphoid cells with T-cell phenotype. However, clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangement was not detected in all 8 patients. Papules or vesicles were induced by repetitive UVA exposure in 5 patients. A latent EBV infection was demonstrated in all the tested samples, such as lesional skin, lymph node, gastric mucosa, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the photo-provoked lesion. CONCLUSION: EBV associated lymphoproliferative lesion presenting as a HV-like eruption is a novel disease that is not related to classic HV. Repetitive irradiation of UVA can induce the skin lesion in some patients with EBV associated lymphoproliferative lesion presenting as a HV-like eruption.