ABSTRACT
The progression of vitiligo and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation simultaneously in a patient with AIDS led to the appearance of a blue color on much of the patient's skin. The blue coloration subsequently resolved with follicular repigmentation typical of resolving vitiligo. We believe this is the first reported case of "blue vitiligo."
Subject(s)
Hyperpigmentation/pathology , Vitiligo/pathology , Adult , Color , Histiocytes/pathology , Humans , Hyperpigmentation/chemically induced , Male , Melanocytes/pathology , PhagocytosisABSTRACT
The predominant cyclooxygenase products of keratinocytes are prostaglandin (PG)E2 and PGF2 alpha with only trace amounts of PGI2 synthesis detected. When normal or immortal (NM1) keratinocytes were co-cultured with mitomycin C-treated 3T3 cells, increased synthesis of PGI2 was noted compared to mitomycin C-treated 3T3 cells alone. The PGI2 level in co-cultures was maximum within the first week and diminished rapidly thereafter. These results suggested keratinocytes enhance the production of PGI2 by 3T3 cells. Keratinocyte cultures incubated with Iloprost and Piriprost, stable PGI2 analogues, showed evidence of increased cornification as demonstrated by staining with rhodanile blue, decreased shedding of cells into the culture medium, and more cornified material adhering to the culture surface. The cultures appeared to be responsive between the first and second weeks after plating and the inhibition of shedding could not be reversed by changing to drug-free medium. Control and treated cultures showed identical electrophoretic protein patterns. Immunoblots showed involucrin unchanged in extracts of control and treated cultures while the 22 kd pancornulin was absent in treated cultures. The findings that keratinocytes enhance the production of PGI2 by 3T3 cells and that PGI2 analogues enhance cornification of confluent keratinocytes raise the possibility that eicosanoids may serve as autoregulatory signals together with other factors.
Subject(s)
3T3 Cells/metabolism , Epoprostenol/biosynthesis , Keratinocytes/cytology , 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha/metabolism , Animals , Arachidonic Acid/pharmacology , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Humans , Iloprost/pharmacology , In Vitro Techniques , Mice , Mitomycin/pharmacology , Vitamin A/pharmacologyABSTRACT
A monoclonal and two polyclonal antibodies to human involucrin were used to look for involucrin epitopes in other species. All antibodies react strongly with the same proteins of monkey, and both polyclonal antibodies react with specific proteins of cow and dog. One of the polyclonal antibodies also reacts with proteins of sheep, guinea pig, rat, and finback whale. The immunoreactive proteins from cow and dog could be purified using a procedure developed for human involucrin. The reaction with the purified dog protein could be blocked by purified human involucrin. The results suggest that involucrin-like proteins have a wider species distribution than originally appreciated.
Subject(s)
Protein Precursors/analysis , Animals , Cattle , Cross Reactions , Dogs , Epitopes , Haplorhini , Protein Precursors/immunology , Sheep , Skin/analysis , WhalesABSTRACT
1. A monoclonal antibody (HCE-2) to human epidermal and epithelial cornified envelopes identified a group of soluble basic protein precursors. 2. Using HCE-2, envelope-like staining was observed in the epidermis and stratified squamous epithelium of a number of mammalian species. 3. Basic polypeptides reactive to HCE-2 varied in size and number among the different animals. 4. In those species studied, HCE-2-reactive peptides were substrates for transglutaminase and protease treatment of cornified envelopes released HCE-2-reactive degradation products. 5. These results suggest a new family of proteins in mammalian epidermis that may function as cornified envelope precursors.
Subject(s)
Keratinocytes/metabolism , Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Blotting, Western , Epidermis/metabolism , Epithelium/metabolism , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Humans , Mammals , Molecular Weight , Protein Precursors/immunology , Protein Precursors/isolation & purification , Protein Precursors/metabolism , Proteins/immunology , Proteins/isolation & purification , Species SpecificitySubject(s)
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 , Keratinocytes/cytology , Cell Cycle , Cell Line , Humans , Karyotyping , TrisomyABSTRACT
Psoriasis occurring in a patient with lamellar ichthyosis is reported. Similar self-limited episodes had occurred earlier. On histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen, an eruptive plaque showed parakeratosis and a reduction in the granular layer. Electrophoretic analysis of the keratins isolated from the epidermis of a plaque showed a reduction in the amount of the 67 kd polypeptide compared to the keratins of ichthyosis epidermis. Both of these findings support the diagnosis of psoriasis. Epilyt, applied daily, was effective in removing scales.
