Increased expression of cell adhesion molecule 1 by mast cells as a cause of enhanced nerve-mast cell interaction in a hapten-induced mouse model of atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Neuroimmunological disorders are involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), partly through enhanced sensory nerve-skin mast cell interaction. Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) is a mast-cell adhesion molecule that mediates the adhesion to, and communication with, sympathetic nerves. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of mast cell CADM1 in the pathogenesis of AD, CADM1 expression levels by comparing between lesional and nonlesional skin mast cells of an AD mouse model, which was developed by repeated application of trinitrochlorobenzene, and to examine, in cocultures, how the alterations in CADM1 detected in lesional mast cells might affect the sensory nerve-mast cell interaction. METHODS: AD-like lesional and nonlesional skin mast cells were collected separately by laser capture microdissection. CADM1 expression was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and CADM1 immunohistochemistry. In cocultures, adhesion between dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurites and IC2 mast cells was analysed by loading a femtosecond laser-induced impulsive force on neurite-attendant IC2 cells, while cellular communication was monitored as the IC2 cellular response ([Ca(2+)]i increase) after nerve-specific stimulant-induced DRG activation. RESULTS: AD-like lesional mast cells expressed three-fold more CADM1 transcripts than nonlesional cells. This was supported at the protein level, shown by immunohistochemistry. In coculture, CADM1 overexpression in IC2 cells strengthened DRG neurite-IC2 cell adhesion and doubled the population of IC2 cells responding to DRG activation. A function-blocking anti-CADM1 antibody abolished these effects in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression of CADM1 in mast cells appeared to be a cause of enhanced sensory nerve-mast cell interaction in a hapten-induced mouse model of AD.

[Use of cefroxadine dry syrup in the management of acute skin infections in children (author's transl)].

1. Cefroxadine dry syrup was in principle administered at the dosage of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight 3 times a day. 2. Evaluation was done in 4 grades, i.e. excellent, good, fair and poor. 3. According to subjective judgement by attending doctors, 'excellent' or 'good' was recorded in 90.7%. 4. If the evaluation was partially standardized, 'excellent' or 'good' was obtained in 74.8% of total 163 cases and in 78.7% of 108 impetigo cases. 5. Side effects were observed in 3 cases (diarrhea 1, fever 2). No direct correlation of these complaints with the administration of the present drug was confirmed.

Prolidase deficiency: its dermatological manifestations and some additional biochemical studies.

Prolidase deficiency occurred in a 13-year-old girl. Determinations were made of prolidase and prolinase activities in cultured fibroblasts, and thin layer chromatographic studies of skin prolidase were performed. The patient had chronic, recurrent ulcers on the legs and feet, diffuse telangiectasia, shallow scar-like atrophic lesions on the face and arms, soft and thin abdominal skin, and premature gray hairs. Prolidase in the patient's skin fibroblasts was absent. Greatly reduced prolidase activity was demonstrated in the patient's skin. A review of hitherto reported cases of this disease showed such skin manifestations as (1) skin ulceration or skin fragility with scar formation, (2) purpuric lesions, (3) telangiectasia and/or photosensitivity, and (4) thickening of the skin with lymphedema.

The effects of castration and testosterone administration on mast cells and hydroxyproline in rat skin.

In rat skin of both sexes, significantly higher concentrations of mast cells were observed in the genital area as compared with the skin of the back. The hydroxyproline (HPL) value in the preputial skin was half that in the dorsal skin. The influence of castration and the administration of testosterone on male rat skin mast cells and HPL were investigated. A possible relationship was pointed out between HPL value and the mast cell population of the skin.