ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Eczema is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder which shows strong genetic predisposition. To identify new potential molecular determinants of the disease pathogenesis, we performed a gene expression study in an eczema mouse model. This analysis identified a marked down regulation of the cornulin gene (CRNN), a member of the epidermal differentiation complex, in the eczema-like skin. We then investigated CRNN as an eczema candidate gene and studied its polymorphism and the expression in the skin of eczema patients. METHODS: An eczema-like phenotype was induced in mice by allergen (Der p2) patching. Gene expression analysis was performed with the subtractive suppression hybridization method and validated by real time PCR and the transmission disequilibrium test was used to test for genetic associations in 406 multiplex eczema families. RESULTS: Der p 2 patched mice developed a localized eczema and a Th 2 skewed systemic response. Real time PCR analysis confirmed a down regulation of CRNN mRNA in eczema-like skin in the mouse model and in human eczema. The CRNN polymorphism rs941934 was significantly associated with atopic eczema in the genetic analysis (P = 0.006), though only as part of an extended haplotype including a known associated variant (2282del4) in the filaggrin gene. CONCLUSIONS: CRNN mRNA expression is decreased in eczematous skin. Further studies are needed to verify whether the associated cornulin polymorphism contribute to the genetic susceptibility in eczema.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/genetics , Down-Regulation/genetics , Epidermis/immunology , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Adult , Allergens/immunology , Animals , Antigens, Dermatophagoides/immunology , Arthropod Proteins , Cytokines/biosynthesis , Cytokines/immunology , Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology , Epidermis/drug effects , Epidermis/pathology , Female , Filaggrin Proteins , Gene Expression , Gene Expression Regulation , Genetic Markers , Genotype , Haplotypes , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Middle Aged , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Psoriasis/genetics , Psoriasis/immunologySubject(s)
Etretinate/therapeutic use , Ichthyosis, Lamellar/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Infant, NewbornABSTRACT
Three notable new developments in magnetic alloys are highlighted. These include rare earth-cobalt permanent magnets with maximum energy products up to 240 kilojoules per cubic meter; chromium-cobalt-iron permanent magnets that have magnetic properties similar to those of the Alnicos, but contain only about half as much cobalt and are sufficiently ductile to be cold-formable; and high-induction grain-oriented silicon steels that exhibit 20 percent less core loss as transformer core materials than conventional oriented grades.
