Gene expression profiles in varicose veins using complementary DNA microarray.

BACKGROUND: There has been little information reported about the genetic event concerning the pathophysiology of varicose vein (VV). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the differentiation of gene expression in the wall of VV using complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) microarrays. METHODS: The study was performed with four pairs of VVs and control veins (CVs). cDNA specimens of VVs were prepared from the ribonucleic acid-isolated VVs of patients who underwent venous obliteration, using radiofrequency, as well as from CVs of those who underwent aortocoronary bypass grafting. Each set of VVs and CVs was hybridized with high-density microarray containing 3,063 human cDNAs. The finding of microarray hybridization were scanned, analyzed, and classified with the cluster program. RESULTS: Among 3,063 cDNA clones, 82 genes were up-regulated in VVs, and some of the up-regulated genes, which were detected by cDNA microarray, including transforming growth factor 3-induced gene (BIGH3), tubulin, lumican, actinin, collagen type I, versican, actin, and tropomyosin, belonged to extracelluar matrix molecules, cytoskeletal proteins, or myofibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Many up-regulated genes were found in Ws by applying cDNA microarray. These gene profiles suggested a pathway associated with fibrosis and that wound healing might be related to the pathophysiology of VVs.

Detection of human papillomavirus 60 in epidermal cysts of nonpalmoplantar location.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 57 and 60 are associated with epidermal cysts of palmoplantar location (PPECs). Recently, there was a report of HPV 60 in a wart located in a nonpalmoplantar area as a possible precursor of a nonpalmoplantar epidermal cyst (NPPEC). There has been no study that has examined the presence and frequency of HPV in ordinary NPPECs. We reviewed 63 cases of epidermal cysts, including 59 NPPECs and 4 PPECs. After routine histopathologic review, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of extracted DNA, sequencing of PCR products, and, finally, a homology search were undertaken. As a result, 9 of 63 (14.3%) cysts, including 6 of 59 NPPECs (10.2%), showed a positive reaction on PCR. By homology search after PCR, all were demonstrated as HPV 60. For NPPECs, no variables, including some histopathologic features, are significantly related to the presence of HPV 60 in univariate or multivariate analysis (P > 0.05).