Seog-Jun Ha

Spontaneous expression of mRNA for IL-10, GM-CSF, TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from atopic dermatitis

Background Monocytes and T helper cells play major roles in the immunologic dysfunction of atopic dermatitis (AD). There have been many studies on the cytokine pattern to evaluate abnormalities of immune cells in AD, but the results were conflicting and most of these previous reports were performed with various mitogen-stimulation. Objective The purpose was to investigate de novo cytokine pattern in AD peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We focused on the expression of cytokines that have effects on monocytes and T cells. Methods We measured mRNA expression of IL-10, GM-CSF, TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in freshly isolated PBMC with semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The intensity of cytokine cDNA were normalized to that of β-actin product as a standard marker. Results Interleukin-10 mRNA expression was significantly enhanced in AD compared with control subjects ( P P Conclusion Our data could represent in vivo cytokine expression state associated with monocytes and other immune cells. Increased expression of IL-10 and GM-CSF may be associated with monocyte dysfunction in AD although increase in the expression of GM-CSF mRNA was not statistically significant. Inhibitory effect of increased IL-10 was suggested on decreased expression of TNF-α mRNA. The role of TGF-β in AD remains to be seen.

Distribution of HLA‐A, B alleles and polymorphisms of TAP and LMP genes in Korean patients with atopic dermatitis

Background Atopic dermatitis has been seen to result from multifactorial inheritance, with interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The genetic association may differ according to the ethnic backgrounds.

Minor cutaneous features of atopic dermatitis in South Korea.

Background Minor cutaneous features are important in atopic dermatitis (AD) because they are related to the ethnic or genetic background and to the etiopathogenesis of the disease other than atopic allergy. In addition, they can be used as auxiliary diagnostic criteria in patients with uncertain major features. It is our experience that our AD patients have characteristic features that have not been described previously in the literature.

Perception of men with androgenetic alopecia by women and nonbalding men in Korea: how the nonbald regard the bald

Background Baldness has significant negative psychosocial effects. It has been asserted that the negative effects of baldness are often trivialized by the nonbald. Most studies concerning the perception of baldness have focused on the perceptions of the bald by themselves. In this study, we assessed the perception of baldness by the nonbald in Korea.

Expression of T cell receptor Vβ chain in lesional skin of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disorder characterized by local infiltration of T cells. To date, numerous reports have shown that Staphylococcus aureus may exacerbate atopic dermatitis, and superantigens produced by this organism are thought to be one of the major causative factors in atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of staphylococcal superantigen in atopic dermatitis by observing expression of the variable region of beta chain of T cell receptor (TCR V beta) in the inflammatory cells infiltrating cutaneous lesions of atopic dermatitis. Fourteen patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled. Punch biopsy specimens were obtained from lesional and normal-appearing skin of all patients. The expression of TCR V beta was studied by means of immunohistochemical technique using monoclonal antibodies. In 4 out of 14 patients, the tendencies of preferential expression of specific TCR V beta were found in lesional skin. This study suggested that staphylococcal superantigen and its corresponding T cell subsets may act as causative or pathogenic factors in a subgroup of atopic dermatitis.

Analysis of genetic polymorphisms of steroid 5α-reductase type 1 and 2 genes in Korean men with androgenetic alopecia

BACKGROUND Genetic polymorphisms of steroid 5alpha-reductase have been studied in androgenetic alopecia in Caucasians, but the genes encoding the two isoenzymes were not associated with male pattern baldness. Genetic polymorphisms and ethnic variations have not been studied for Asians, although it is suggested that racial difference could exist and influence clinical phenotypes. OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study is to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of steroid 5alpha-reductase type 1 and 2 (SRD5A1 and SRD5A2) genes in Korean population, and to study the association of these polymorphisms with the development, clinical types (female or male pattern) and therapeutic response of androgenetic alopecia. METHODS Sixty-six patients with androgenetic alopecia and controls consisted of 92 healthy men were included. Twenty-four patients were treated with finasteride for at least 6 months, and clinical responses were assessed by a simple classification. For type 1 isoenzyme, HinfI and NspI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were detected using polymerase chain reaction method. For type 2 isoenzyme, RsaI RFLPs detected valine/leucine polymorphisms at codon 89, and MowI RFLPs detected alanine/threonine polymorphisms at codon 49. RESULTS We could not find any significant associations of the genetic polymorphisms of these two isoenzyme genes with androgenetic alopecia in Koreans (P>0.05). These polymorphisms were not associated with the clinical types of baldness or the response to finasteride (P>0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that polymorphisms of SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 genes may not be directly associated with the development of baldness or generation of different clinical phenotypes.

Low frequency of β-catenin gene mutations in pilomatricoma

We investigated b -catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene abnormalities in human pilomatricoma, in which a high incidence of b -catenin gene mutations has been reported. Nucleated tumour cells were microdissected from 20 paraf® n-embedded pilomatricomas. Exon 3 of the b -catenin gene was ampli® ed using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis was performed. Immunostaining for b -catenin and lymphoid-enhancer factor-1 was performed using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. Dinucleotide repeat markers D5S409 and D5S299 were used for polymerase chain reaction-based microsatellite analysis of the APC gene. The mutation cluster region of the APC gene was ampli® ed using polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Sequencing analysis revealed b -catenin gene mutations in 30%. All studied samples showed nuclear lymphoid-enhancer factor-1 and cytoplasmic/nuclear b -catenin expression. Loss of heterozygosity was observed in the APC gene, but no mutations in the mutation cluster region were found in seven tumours without b -catenin mutations. The frequency of b -catenin gene mutations was remarkably low, thus suggesting (i) the presence of mutations in other than exon 3 of the b -catenin gene, (ii) a possible role of APC

p53 gene mutations in Bowen's disease in Koreans: clustering in exon 5 and multiple mutations

We analyzed the p53 protein expression and gene mutations to evaluate the role of ultraviolet radiation or other carcinogens, and possible racial differences in 17 samples from 12 Korean patients with Bowens disease. A simple microdissection technique was used to collect the tumor cells selectively. p53 protein expression was found in eight of 17 (47%) samples. Abnormalities in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis were observed in 16 (94%) samples. A total of 14 missense mutations were detected in eight (47%) samples; 11 were clustered in exon 5 and the remaining three were located in exon 8. UV-like mutations were seen in five of 14 (36%) mutations, but no CC to TT transitions, UV-fingerprint mutations were observed. Multiple mutations were present in two cases and double mutation in a single case. Each lesion in multiple Bowens disease showed different mutations and was suggested to be of different clonal origins. TP53-loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was detected in four out of 15 (27%) informative samples. Clustering of mutations in exon 5 suggests the role of another carcinogen in Koreans or Asians other than the UVR. Microdissection would increase the detection rate of the p53 gene mutations and LOH not only in skin cancer but also in precancerous lesions.

LOCALIZED CHRONIC URTICARIA AT THE SITE OF HEALED HERPES ZOSTER

Sir, Isotopic response is de¢ned as the occurrence of a new, unrelated disease at the same site as a previous disease, commonly herpes zoster. Various diseases have been reported in terms of isotopic response associated with herpes zoster, but the development of localized chronic urticaria is very uncommon. Herein, we described a rare case of localized chronic urticaria presenting as pruritic multiple erythematous weals at the site of healed herpes zoster.