Kyou Chae Lee

Efficacy of Red or Infrared Light-Emitting Diodes in a Mouse Model of Propionibacterium acnes-Induced Inflammation

Background Laser/light-based devices may provide an alternative to conventional acne therapeutics in some patients with nonresponsive acne. Objective We investigated the efficacy of red or infrared light-emitting diode (LED) devices in a mouse model of Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammation through clinical examination and histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. Methods A human-derived Propionibacterium acnes suspension (109 colony-forming units /µl) was injected into the back of an HR-1 mouse. Then, a 28.9 J/cm2 650-nm red LED or 9.3 J/cm2 830-nm infrared LED was applied to the mouse with P. acnes-induced inflammation once daily for 2 weeks. Two weeks after treatment, histological findings with hematoxylin and eosin staining and expression levels of inflammatory biomarkers (integrin α6, neutrophils, interleukin [IL]-1β, and matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-2/9) were evaluated in tissue specimens using immunohistochemical staining. Results Mice treated with red and infrared LED showed clinical improvement in inflammatory nodules compared to mice in the control group. Red LED was much more effective than infrared LED. Epidermal hyperplasia, comedone-like cysts, and integrin α6 expression improved to a similar extent in the red and infrared LED treatment groups and control group. Neutrophil, IL-1β, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression after treatment with red and infrared LED decreased considerably compared to expression in the control group. Conclusion In a mouse model of P. acnes-induced inflammatory nodules, red and infrared LED devices may be an alternative to conventional acne therapies. In addition, a mouse model of P. acnes-induced inflammatory nodules is helpful for laboratory research of acne.

HR-1 Mice: A New Inflammatory Acne Mouse Model

Background There is no appropriate in vivo animal model that reflects the inflammatory response of human acne. Objective This study investigated the effect of Propionibacterium acnes on the development of inflammatory acne-like lesions in four mouse strains with different degrees of immune response for the development of an optimal mouse model of inflammatory acne. Methods Human P. acnes suspensions (108 and 109 colony forming unit [CFU]/µl) were injected into the backs of HR-1, BALB/c, vitamin D receptor-knockout (VDR k/o), and severe combined immunodeficiency disease mice. Inflammation levels were evaluated two weeks after injection of P. acnes suspensions. In addition, histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of the expressions of inflammatory biomarkers (i.e., CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes, neutrophils, myeloperoxidase, interleukin-1β, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, LL-37, and integrin α6) were performed on tissue specimens. Results The HR-1 mouse strain exhibited the most remarkable inflammatory reaction with epithelial proliferation and microcomedone-like cyst formation. HR-1 mice also demonstrated aberrant integrin expression in the epidermis around both inflamed lesions and newly formed microcomedones. These findings were more prominent in the group receiving 109 CFU/µl P. acnes than 108 CFU/µl. MMP-9 expression in HR-1 mice was also upregulated around the microcomedone-like cysts. Finally, expression levels of TLR-2 and LL-37 were higher in HR-1 and BALB/c mice than the VDR k/o and SCID mice strains. Conclusion P. acnes induces acneiform inflammation with small microcomedones in HR-1 mice. Therefore, the HR-1 mouse strain represents a good candidate for the development of a new inflammatory acne mouse model.

A Case of the Migration of Hyaluronic Acid Filler from Nose to Forehead Occurring as Two Sequential Soft Lumps

Vol. 28, No. 5, 2016 645 Received July 1, 2015, Revised August 5, 2015, Accepted for publication September 1, 2015 Corresponding author: Weon Ju Lee, Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Korea. Tel: 82-53-420-5838, Fax: 82-53-426-0770, E-mail: weonju@knu.ac.kr This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright

The Epidemiology of Dermatophyte Infection in Southeastern Korea (1979~2013)

Background: Dermatophytosis is common worldwide and isbelieved to affect more than 20-25% of the world’s population. The epidemiology of dermatophyte infection is influenced by variable factors. Objectives: To investigate the epidemiology of fungal skin infections through a retrospective analysis of patient’s medical records between 1979 and 2013. Methods: Of total 4,275,715 patients, 415,526 patients with clinically suspicious fungal infection were collected at Catholic Skin Disease Clinic in Daegu. KOH examination and culture were performed. Of 415,526 patients, 131,440KOH- and culture-proven patients were included in this study. Results: The annual number of patients with dermatophytosis ranged from 1,973 to 6,166 between 1979 and 2013. Trichophyton (T.) rubrum was the most commonly identified dermatophyte, followed by T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum (M.) canis, and Epidermophyton (E.) floccosum. T. rubrum infection was found predominantly in thirties, T. mentagrophytes infection in forties, and M.canis and T. tonsurans infection in teenagers. T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes infection were most commonly seen in summer. M. canis infection was most commonlyseen in winter and T. tonsurans infection in spring and winter. The most common site was toe web in T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes infection, scalp in M. canis infection, and trunk in T. tonsurans infection. Conclusion: This study will provide valuable information on current epidemiological trends for fungal infections in Korea.

A Comparative Study of Oral Cyclosporine and Betamethasone Minipulse Therapy in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata.

Background Various systemic agents have been assessed for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA); however, there is a paucity of comparative studies. Objective To assess and compare cyclosporine and betamethasone minipulse therapy as treatments for AA with regard to effectiveness and safety. Methods Data were collected from 88 patients who received at least 3 months of oral cyclosporine (n=51) or betamethasone minipulse therapy (n=37) for AA. Patients with ≥50% of terminal hair regrowth in the alopecic area were considered responders. Results The responder of the cyclosporine group was 54.9% and that of the betamethasone minipulse group was 37.8%. In the cyclosporine group, patients with mild AA were found to respond better to the treatment. Based on the patient self-assessments, 70.6% of patients in the cyclosporine group and 43.2% of patients in the betamethasone minipulse group rated their hair regrowth as excellent or good. Side effects were less frequent in the cyclosporine group. Conclusion Oral cyclosporine appeared to be superior to betamethasone minipulse therapy in terms of treatment effectiveness and safety.