Hong Dae Jung

Influence of substance-P on cultured sebocytes.

Acne is a complex, chronic and common skin disorder of pilosebaceous units. Although it is known that exacerbation of acne results from emotional stress, the nature of the association between stress and acne remains unclear. This is due in part to the lack of substantial evidence regarding the participation of cutaneous neurogenic factors in the pathogenesis of acne. Culture of sebocytes provides a new insight into the participation of neuropeptides, notably substance P (SP), in the pathophysiology of acne. To examine the possible involvement of neurogenic factors in the pathogenesis of acne, we used immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR to compare the expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), peroxisome proliferators activated receptors-γ (PPAR-γ) on the cultured sebocytes stimulated by SP. IL-1 is primarily proinflammatory cytokines to stimulate the expression of genes associated with inflammation. IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine with a wide range of biological activities and regulates inflammation. TNF-α is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine that exerts multiple biologic effects. PPAR-γ is a nuclear hormone receptor and plays a unique role in stimulating sebocyte lipogenesis. More numerous immunoreactivity to IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and PPAR-γ and increased RNA amplification for IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and PPAR-γ were observed after addition of SP compared with the control. This study reveals that SP is involved in the pathogenesis of acne.

A multicenter study on extramammary Paget's disease in Korea.

Background  There has been little research on extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) conducted in Asia.

Effect of dihydrotestosterone on the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in cultured sebocytes

Acne is a complex, chronic and common skin disorder of pilosebaceous units. Hyperkeratinization of keratinocytes, increased sebum excretion from sebocytes via androgen stimulation and inflammatory cytokines are the major factors involved in the pathophysiology of acne. In addition, it is known that keratinocytes play an important role in acne synthesizing a number of inflammatory cytokines. However, the nature of the association between inflammatory cytokines and sebocytes in acne remains unclear. Culture of sebocytes provides a new insight into the participation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the production of inflammatory cytokines in acne. To examine the possible involvement of DHT in the production of inflammatory cytokines in the cultured sebocytes, we used immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR to compare the expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Upregulation of IL-6 and TNF-α in immunohistochemistry, and increase in RNA amplification for IL-6 and TNF-α were observed after addition of DHT compared with the control. This study suggests that DHT may not only be involved in sebum production but also in production of proinflammatory cytokines in acne.

Disruption of barrier function in dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor

Dermatophytes have the ability to form molecular attachments to keratin and use it as a source of nutrients, colonizing keratinized tissues, including the stratum corneum of the skin. Malassezia species also affect the stratum corneum of the skin. Therefore, dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor of the skin are thought to be important factors of profound changes in skin barrier structure and function. We aimed to describe the changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, and skin pH in the lesions of the dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor. Thirty‐six patients with dermatophytosis (14 with tinea cruris, 13 with tinea corporis and nine with tinea pedis or tinea manus) and 11 patients with pityriasis versicolor were included in this study. TEWL, stratum corneum conductance and skin pH were determined by biophysical methods to examine whether our patients exhibited changes in barrier function. Dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor except tinea pedis and tinea manus showed highly significant increase in TEWL compared with adjacent infection‐free skin. Hydration was significantly reduced in lesional skin compared with adjacent infection‐free skin. From this study, infections with dermatophytes and Malassezia species on the body can alter biophysical properties of the skin, especially the function of stratum corneum as a barrier to water loss. On the contrary, infections with dermatophytes on the palms and soles little affect the barrier function of the skin.

A Case of Xanthoma Disseminatum Accentuating over the Eyelids

Xanthoma disseminatum (XD) is a rare, benign non-familial mucocutaneous disorder, which is a subset of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. It is characterized by mucocutaneous xanthomas in a disseminated form typically involving the eyelids, trunk, face, and proximal extremities and occurs in flexures and folds such as axillae and the groin. Mucosal involvement of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts may lead to hoarseness or intestinal obstruction from a mechanical mass effect. This paper outlines the case of a 47-year-old female with progressive yellow-to-brown confluent nodules and plaques of various sizes on her scalp, face, oral mucosa, neck, shoulder, axillary folds, and perianal area. Xanthomas accentuating over the eyelids and eyelashes led to partial obstruction of her visual field and interfered with blinking. Further, she suffered from xerophthalmia. The presentation of histopathological features including foamy histiocytes, inflammatory cells, and Touton giant cells in conjunction with her clinical findings indicated a diagnosis of XD. Evaluations for extracutaneous involvement including the central nervous system, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and bone resulted in nonspecific findings. Although she has been treated with surgical excisions, CO(2) laser therapy, and oral prednisolone, new lesions are still emerging.