Chang Kwun Hong

Expressions of β-defensins in human keratinocyte cell lines

Abstract Background: Defensins, a major family of antimicrobial peptides, are small cationic, cysteine-rich peptides with a wide range of antimicrobial activity. In human, β-defensin-1 was isolated from urine and cervical mucous suggesting that this peptide plays an antimicrobial role in the genitourinary tract. β-defensin-2 was identified in psoriatic scale produced by keratinocytes suggesting that this peptide contributes to defend the expansive surface of the integuments. Objective: Current research was done to investigate the expression and modulation of β-defensin mRNA in human keratinocyte cell lines. Methods: HaCaT and A431 cell lines were used to all culture experiments. Cultured human keratinocytes were stimulated with ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to determine whether defensin mRNA production occurred. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to amplify defesin cDNA from stimulated keratinocytes, and southern blots were used to verify the specificity of RT-PCR amplication products. Results: Expression of human β-defensins was upregulated with UVB irradiation, TNF-α and LPS in HaCaT cells and in comparison to the control, significantly higher at 6 h post stimulation with UVB 100 mJ/cm2 and peak at 12 to 18 h post stimulation with UVB 30 mJ/cm2, TNF-α and LPS. A431 cells did not show expression of human β-defensins in unstimulated state, even after irradiation with UVB or TNF-α or LPS. Conclusions: This report demonstrates the presence of defensin in human keratinocytes and capacity of human keratinocytes to produce defensin mRNA in response to UVB irradiation, TNF-α and LPS. Release of defensins by keratinocytes in response to cytokines elaborated in inflammation may contribute to the host defense responses.

Effects of vitamin C vs. multivitamin on melanogenesis: comparative study in vitro and in vivo

Background  Vitamin C has been used for the treatment of hyperpigmented diseases. However, there is no study available on hypopigmenting effect of multivitamin.

The Effect of Calcipotriol on the Expression of Human β Defensin-2 and LL-37 in Cultured Human Keratinocytes

Background. Vitamin D has been reported to regulate innate immunity by controlling the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Objective. We investigated the effect of calcipotriol on the expression of AMPs in human cultured keratinocytes. Methods. Keratinocytes were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TNF-α, Calcipotriol and irradiated with UVB, cultured, and harvested. To assess the expression of human beta defensin-2 and LL-37 in the control group, not exposed to any stimulants, the experimental group was treated with LPS, TNF-α, or UVB, and another group was treated again with calcipotriol; reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results. In the experimental group treated with LPS, UVB irradiation, and TNF-α, the expression of β-defensin and LL-37 was increased more than in the control group and then decreased in the experimental group treated with calcipotriol. Conclusions. Calcipotriol suppressed HBD-2 and LL-37, which were stimulated by UVB, LPS, and TNF-α.

Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser Treatment of Warts: Report on a Series of 369 Cases

Various treatment methods have been adopted in the management of warts; however, there is still no consensus on first-line treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of warts. Over the course of 1 yr, 369 patients with recalcitrant or untreated warts were exposed to a long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The following parameters were used: spot size, 5 mm; pulse duration, 20 msec; and fluence, 200 J/cm2. No concomitant topical treatment was used. In all, 21 patients were lost during follow up; hence, the data for 348 patients were evaluated. The clearance rate was 96% (336 of the 348 treated warts were eradicated). The clearance rate of verruca vulgaris after the first treatment was very high (72.6%), whereas the clearance rate of deep palmopantar warts after the first treatment was low (44.1%). During a median follow-up period of 2.24 months (range, 2-10 months), 11 relapses were seen (recurrence rate, 3.27%). In conclusion, long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective for the removal or reduction of warts and is less dependent on patient compliance than are other treatment options.

The use of 1540 nm fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of acne scars in Asian skin: a pilot study.

Background: Various modalities have been used to treat acne scars, but limited efficacy and considerable side effects have restricted their proper use. Recently, a new‐generation fractional photothermolysis modality has been introduced that has deeper penetrating ability; however, a 1540 nm fractional photothermolysis study has not yet been performed.

Thermography as a predictor of postherpetic neuralgia in acute herpes zoster patients: a preliminary study

Background/purpose: Infrared thermal images in patients suffering from herpes zoster (HZ) may exhibit thermal asymmetry due to the unilateral distribution of HZ lesions. This study examined the usefulness of infrared thermography in acute HZ as a predictor for the development of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Branch-shaped Cutaneous Hypopigmentation and Atrophy after Intralesional Triamcinolone Injection.

Cutaneous changes after local corticosteroid administration may include dermal atrophy, hyperpigmentation, alopecia, and hypopigmentation. Linear hypopigmentation and atrophy after intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide has been reported in the literature as a very rare side effect. A 30-year-old woman visited our dermatology department for a linear hypopigmented patch with atrophy from her left foot to the lower margin of the knee. The lesion developed after injection of an intralesional corticosteroid. The patient was diagnosed with linear hypopigmentation and atrophy secondary to the triamcinolone injection.

Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Refractory Erythema and Flushing of Rosacea

Background: Persistent erythema and severe rosacea flushing can cause significant physical discomfort and emotional stress to patients. Currently, no satisfactory treatments are available. Methods: We report two cases of refractory flushing and erythema of rosacea that were successfully treated with intradermal botulinum toxin injections. Results: Good cosmetic results were achieved for both patients. The side effects during and after treatment were mild pain and localized bruising; these symptoms resolved within several days without further treatment. Conclusion: Intradermal botulinum toxin injection may be an effective treatment for refractory erythema and rosacea flushing that deserves further study in a larger patient population.

Clinical comparison of two hyaluronic acid‐derived fillers in the treatment of nasolabial folds: Mesoglow® and IAL System®

Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are widely used to reduce the appearance of aging. However, comparative research on the efficacy and safety of products of similar composition is limited. We compared outcomes achieved with two non‐cross‐linked HA fillers of almost identical composition, Mesoglow® and IAL System®. Forty subjects with visible nasolabial folds (NLFs) were enrolled in a randomized study. Wrinkle severity was rated using the 5‐point Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS). Each subject was injected with Mesoglow® in one NLF and IAL System® in the other. An optimal cosmetic result was established at two weeks after a second treatment. Participants were then reassessed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks, respectively, post‐optimal cosmetic result using the WSRS. The degree of improvement was also assessed by subjects and investigators using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).

Treatment of Refractory Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Using 1,064-nm Long-Pulse Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), with chronic and disfiguring skin lesions, is therapeutically challenging. Antimalarials and topical steroids are the first-line standard therapies, and systemic steroids, azathioprine, and dapsone are used as second-line therapies, but despite such measures, there is a subgroup of patients for whom adequate disease control cannot be achieved. Recent studies have used 585-nm pulsed dye lasers for the treatment of DLE, with the lesional blood vessels as the target tissue, because hemoglobin in blood has strong absorption peaks at wavelengths ranging from 585 to 595 nm. Side effects of therapy with PDL are erythema, edema, purpura, crusting, blistering, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation. It has been postulated that 1,064-nm neodymiumdoped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers could be used in the treatment of telangiectases, because hemoglobin has a significant, albeit moremodest, absorption peak of 800 to 1,100 nm. In addition, because melanin absorbs less light at this wavelength, there less risk of pigmentary and purpuric side effects. We present a case of refractory DLE that was successfully treated using a 1,064-nm long-pulse Nd:YAG laser.