[Hereditary photodermatoses]. / Hereditäre Photodermatosen.

Hereditary photodermatoses are characterized by an increased photosensitivity caused by an inherited single gene defect. With few exceptions, they manifest in early childhood, reveal heterogeneous clinical symptoms, and are difficult to treat. Although these diseases are rare, it is very important to make an accurate diagnosis on the basis of clinical symptoms, specific diagnostic tests, and direct DNA analysis. We review the spectrum of inherited photodermatoses, including porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, actinic prurigo, Kindler syndrome, and disorders associated with a defect in DNA repair, including xeroderma pigmentosum, trichothiodystrophy, Cockayne syndrome, and Bloom syndrome. Early diagnosis may prevent complications associated with prolonged unprotected exposure to sunlight and makes it possible to offer genetic counseling and, when indicated, prenatal diagnosis to families at risk for these rare heritable disorders.

Induction of a chemoattractive proinflammatory cytokine response after stimulation of keratinocytes with Propionibacterium acnes and coproporphyrin III.

BACKGROUND: The inflammation in acne vulgaris is widely thought to be induced by an immunological reaction, but the role of Propionibacterium acnes is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To examine the local host response mechanism of a keratinocyte cell line 3 h and 6 h after stimulation with viable and heat-killed P. acnes. METHODS: The quantitative expression of cytokines was measured at the mRNA level by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The coincubation of a keratinocyte cell line with viable, but not heat-killed, P. acnes modulated an adequate cytokine response for interleukin (IL)-1beta, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-8. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the in vivo porphyrin pattern secreted by P. acnes revealed a predominance of coproporphyrin III in acne lesions. This same porphyrin fraction also modestly induced IL-8 expression by keratinocytes. CONCLUSIONS: This cytokine pattern may favour a chemotactic response and implicates P. acnes and coproporphyrin III in the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of infection and in the development of acne lesions.