Makiko Kido

Stromal CD10 expression, as well as increased dermal macrophages and decreased Langerhans cells, are associated with malignant transformation of keratinocytes

Background:  It has become evident that resident stromal cells, such as fibroblasts and inflammatory cells, are involved in the metastatic process, including proliferation or migration of malignant neoplasms. We analyzed CD10+ stromal cells, dermal macrophages and Langerhans cells (LCs) in skin tumors.

Are lifetime prevalence of impetigo, molluscum and herpes infection really increased in children having atopic dermatitis?

BACKGROUND Cutaneous infections such as impetigo contagiosum (IC), molluscum contagiosum (MC) and herpes virus infection (HI) appear to be associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), but there are no reports of concrete epidemiological evidence. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the association of childhood AD with these infections by conducting a population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS Enrolled in this study were 1117 children aged 0-6 years old attending nursery schools in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Physical examination was performed by dermatologists, and a questionnaire was completed on each childs history of allergic diseases including AD, asthma, allergic rhinitis and egg allergy, and that of skin infections including IC, MC and HI, as well as familial history of AD. RESULTS In 913 children (AD; 132), a history of IC, MC or HI was observed in 45.1%, 19.7%, and 2.5%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of having a history of IC were 1.8 times higher in AD children than in non-AD children. Meanwhile, a history of MC was significantly correlated to the male gender, but not to a personal history of AD. As for HI, we found no correlated factors in this study. CONCLUSIONS The lifetime prevalence of IC was indeed higher in young children with a history of AD.

Activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin signalling pathway in epidermal tumours and its correlation with cyclin-dependent kinase 2.

Background  The enzyme mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates many different cellular signals to control cell growth and proliferation, protein synthesis and breakdown, and other processes. Dysregulation of mTOR is implicated in a range of human diseases, including cancers and cardiovascular disorders. To date, there has been no report on the expression of protein kinase B (AKT)/mTOR cell signalling in epidermal tumours.

Increased expression of an epidermal stem cell marker, cytokeratin 19, in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Background  Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) has been considered to be a putative marker for epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle bulge. Cumulative reports have shown that epidermal stem cells play an important role in skin carcinogenesis. However, to date there has been no report on the clinical alteration of the stem cells in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Overexpression of phosphorylated‐ATF2 and STAT3 in cutaneous angiosarcoma and pyogenic granuloma

Background:  Activating transcription factor‐2/Activator protein‐1 (AP‐1), Signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 and p53 are important regulators of cellular proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation in the pathogenesis of many human tumors, but the expression of phosphorylated (p)‐activating transcription factor‐2 (p‐ATF2), phosphorylated (p)‐signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (p‐STAT3) and p53 family (p63 and p73) has not been investigated in cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS) and pyogenic granuloma (PG) so far.

A Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Trial of Topical Tacrolimus for the Treatment of Pruritis in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Background Pruritis caused by atopic dermatitis (AD) is not always well controlled by topical corticosteroid therapy, but use of tacrolimus often helps to soothe such intractable pruritis in clinical settings. Objective To determine the anti-pruritic efficacy of topical tacrolimus in treating AD in induction and maintenance therapy. Methods Prior to the study, patients were randomly allocated into two groups, induction therapy followed by tacrolimus monotherapy maintenance, and induction therapy followed by emollient-only maintenance. In the induction therapy, the patients were allowed to use topical tacrolimus and emollients in addition to a low dose (<10 g/week) of topical steroids. Patients showing relief from pruritis were allowed to proceed to maintenance therapy. Recurrence of pruritis in maintenance therapy was examined as a major endpoint. Results Two-thirds of patients (44/68; 64.7%) showed relief from pruritis after induction therapy. Pruritis recurred in 23.8% (5/21) of the tacrolimus monotherapy group and in 100% (21/21) of the emollient group during maintenance period, a difference that was statistically significant. Conclusion Use of topical tacrolimus is effective in controlling pruritis of AD compared to emollient.

T cell-specific overexpression of interleukin-27 receptor α subunit (WSX-1) prevents spontaneous skin inflammation in MRL/lpr mice

Background  Interleukin (IL)‐27 and WSX‐1, the receptor α‐specific subunit, have been shown to play important roles in initiating Th1 responses and in inducing immune modulation, and the immunosuppressive effect of IL‐27 appears to be exerted via suppression of IL‐10 and IL‐17, which may participate in the pathogenesis of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Expression of CD10 predicts tumor progression and unfavorable prognosis in malignant melanoma

BACKGROUND CD10 expression in malignant melanoma (MM) has been reported to increase according to tumor progression and metastasis; however, its association with patient outcome has not been clarified. OBJECTIVE We examined the immunohistochemical expression of CD10 in MM to determine whether or not it could serve as a marker for tumor progression and prognosis. METHODS A total of 64 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of primary MM were immunostained for CD10. Similarly, 40 samples of melanocytic nevus and 20 of metastatic MM were analyzed for comparison. The following clinicopathologic variables were evaluated: age, gender, histologic type, tumor site, Breslow thickness, Clark level, the presence or absence of ulceration and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and survival. Statistical analyses were performed to assess for associations. Several parameters were analyzed for survival using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that 34 of 64 cases (53%) of primary MM expressed CD10, compared with 15 of 20 cases (75%) of metastatic MM and only 4 of 40 cases (10%) of nevus. There was a significant positive relationship between CD10 expression and Breslow thickness, Clark level, and ulceration. Univariate analysis revealed 4 significant factors for shorter survival periods: CD10 expression, high Breslow thickness, high Clark level, and the presence of ulceration (P < .01 each). In multivariate analysis, CD10 expression was revealed to be a statistically significant and independent prognostic factor. LIMITATIONS The major limitation was the small sample size. CONCLUSION CD10 expression may serve as a progression marker and can predict unfavorable prognosis in patients with MM.

Differential expression of two new members of the p53 family, p63 and p73, in extramammary Paget's disease

Background.  The proteins p53, p63 and p73 are known to be overexpressed and to play important roles in the pathogenesis of many tumours, but the expression of p63 and p73 has not previously been investigated in extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD).

Assessment of abnormal blood flow and efficacy of treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis using a newly developed microwireless laser Doppler flowmeter and arm‐raising test

Background  Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) frequently suffer from recalcitrant digital ulceration because of impaired cutaneous blood flow (CBF). A simple and accurate CBF measurement would be helpful to evaluate the disease status and efficacy of treatment in such patients.