Shinsuke Takagawa

Hepatocyte growth factor both prevents and ameliorates the symptoms of dermal sclerosis in a mouse model of scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder with an unknown etiology. There are currently no effective therapies for SSc. (In this study, working with a bleomycin(BLM)-induced scleroderma model mice, we performed two transfections of human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cDNA into the skeletal muscle and showed that this treatment not only helped to prevent the dermal sclerosis simultaneously injected BLM but also improved the symptoms of dermal sclerosis induced by BLM 4 weeks previously.) RT-PCR, ELISA and an immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both mRNA and protein of human HGF as well as murine HGF were enhanced in the skin, lung, muscle and the serum after two transfections of human HGF cDNA. These analyses also revealed that this treatment significantly reduced both the expression of the TGF-β1 mRNA and the production of TGF-β1 on macrophage-like cells that infiltrated the dermis and the fibroblastic cells in BLM-induced scleroderma. Furthermore, HGF-gene transfection both prevented and ameliorated the symptoms of not only dermal sclerosis but also of lung fibrosis induced by a subcutaneous BLM injection. These results indicated that gene therapy by the transfection of the human HGF cDNA may thus be a useful therapy for SSc and lung fibrosis involved with SSc.

Skin Invasion of Hodgkin’s Disease Mimicking Scrofuloderma

We report a case of direct skin invasion by Hodgkin’s disease from a left supraclavicular lymph node. Clinical and pathological presentations mimicked infectious disease such as scrofuloderma. The nodule later developed a fistula following a biopsy that never healed despite numerous antibiotic treatments. Ten months later, other nodules with spontaneous fistula formation appeared on the anterior neck. A diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease was then made. Subsequent COPP cytostatic therapy remarkably improved the skin lesions and lymph nodes achieving comlete remission.

Multiple minute digitate hyperkeratoses.

A familial case of multiple minute digitate hyperkeratoses is reported. Hundreds of tiny, spiked, keratotic papules were scattered on the trunk and limbs. Microscopically, the lesions showed digitiform orthohyperkeratosis with tenting of the epidermis. Neither atypical epidermal cells nor a dermal infiltrate were observed. This disease has three types: familial, sporadic and postinflammatory. We have analysed the histopathological features of all the cases reported to date. While the familial and sporadic types are similar, the lesions in the postinflammatory type are composed of parakeratotic columns with an invaginated epidermis. Although morphological analysis may not provide any clues to pathogenetic differences, it seems reasonable to assume that the postinflammatory type is an entity different from the other two forms.