A case of anti-laminin gamma-1 (p200) pemphigoid with bullous lesions on the lips, hands and feet showing antibodies to desmoglein 1.

An 87-years-old-man presented with bullous and erosive lesions exclusively on the lips, hands and feet. Histopathological and direct immunofluorescence studies suggested the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid, but the serum anti-BP180 antibodies were negative. Strangely, anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies were positive, although no pemphigus-like features were found. Indirect immunofluorescence showed IgG reactivity with dermal side of 1 M NaCl-split skin. Immunoblotting showed positive reactivity with the 200 kDa laminin gamma-1 but not with type VII collagen. After the administration of prednisolone 20 mg/day, bullous lesions cleared within 2 weeks.

Adiponectin regulates functions of gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin is a cytokine constitutively produced by adipocytes and exhibits multiple biological functions by targeting various cell types. However, the effects of adiponectin on primary gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells are still unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of adiponectin on gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), mouse gingival fibroblasts (MGFs) and human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells was examined using RT-PCR and western blotting. HGFs and MGFs were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1ß in the presence or absence of adiponectin, and the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 at both mRNA and protein levels was measured by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Furthermore, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in MGFs were used to knock down the expression of mouse AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. The effects of adiponectin on the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. Mineralized nodule formation of adiponectin-treated HPDL cells was revealed by Alizarin Red staining. RESULTS: AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were expressed constitutively in HGFs, MGFs and HPDL cells. Adiponectin decreased the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in IL-1ß-stimulated HGFs and MGFs. AdipoR1 siRNA in MGFs revealed that the effect of adiponectin on reduction of IL-6 expression was potentially mediated via AdipoR1. Adiponectin-treated HPDL cells promoted the expression of ALP and Runx2 mRNAs and up-regulated ALP activity. Furthermore, adiponectin enhanced mineralized nodule formation of HPDL cells. CONCLUSION: Our observations demonstrate that adiponectin exerts anti-inflammatory effects on HGFs and MGFs, and promotes the activities of osteoblastogenesis of HPDL cells. We conclude that adiponectin has potent beneficial functions to maintain the homeostasis of periodontal health, improve periodontal lesions, and contribute to wound healing and tissue regeneration.

[Effect of NH4+ on synaptosomal membrane potential in the rat brain].

The effect of NH4+ on synaptosomal membrane potential was examined using rat brains. The membrane potential was measured by the rhodamine 6G fluorescence method. Both NH4+ diffusion potential (NH4+-potential) and K+ diffusion potential (K+-potential) were observed in the synaptosomes. Upon replacement of medium Cl- with SCN-, both K+- and NH4+-potentials depolarized. On the other hand, replacement of medium Cl- with gluconate resulted in the hyperpolarization of K+-potential, but not of NH4+-potential. Ethacrynic acid (0.3 mM), a Cl- -ATPase inhibitor, depolarized both K+(Cl-)- and NH4+ (Cl-)-potentials. In the presence of ethacrynic acid, both of the potentials were further depolarized by replacement of medium Cl- with SCN-, but not with gluconate-. Picrotoxin (5 mM), a Cl- channel inhibitor, did not significantly affect either K+- or NH4+-potential. In the presence of picrotoxin, replacement of medium Cl- with SCN- depolarized both K+- and NH4+-potentials with or without ethacrynic acid. Gluconate depolarized the K+-potential with ethacrynic acid and the NH4+-potential with or without ethacrynic acid. These findings suggest that NH4+ forms a diffusion potential in nerve endings, and inhibits the anion-mediated hyperpolarization through mechanisms other than anion channels.