Sung-Ae Kim

Platelet-rich plasma induces increased expression of G1 cell cycle regulators, type I collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human skin fibroblasts

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is derived from fresh whole blood, which contains a high concentration of platelets. Recently, PRP has been used for skin wound healing and rejuvenation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PRP-inducing wound healing processes are still largely unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of PRP on the expression of G1 cell cycle regulatory proteins, type I collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and MMP-2 in human skin fibroblasts (HSF). We performed a cell proliferation and a migration assay, immunoblotting, and a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay in PRP-treated human skin fibroblasts. PRP treatment induced increased rates of cell proliferation and cell migration. Expression of cyclin A protein was increased by a low concentration (0.5%) of PRP-treated HSF. In addition, expression of Rb, cyclin E, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 proteins was increased by a high concentration (5%) of PRP-treated HSF. High concentration of PRP induced an up-regulation of type I collagen, MMP-1, and MMP-2 expression in HSF. Taken together, PRP treatment induced an increase in expression of G1 cell cycle regulators, type I collagen and MMP-1, thereby accelerating the wound healing process.

Clinical Improvement of Striae Distensae in Korean Patients Using a Combination of Fractionated Microneedle Radiofrequency and Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser

BACKGROUND Striae distensae are dermal scars with flattening and atrophy of the epidermis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with fractionated microneedle radiofrequency (RF) and fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser in the treatment of striae distensae. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients (30 female; mean age 33, range 21–51, Fitzpatrick skin type IV) with moderate to severe striae distensae were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into three groups: fractional CO2 laser only (n = 10), microneedle RF only (n = 10), and combination (n = 10). RESULTS Improvement was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (range 1–4). Mean clinical improvement score of the dermatologist was 2.2 in the fractional CO2 laser–treated group, 1.8 in the microneedle RF–treated group, and 3.4 in the combination group. Through skin biopsy, we observed thickened epidermis and a clear increase in the number of collagen fibers in the microneedle RF– and fractional CO2 combination–treated sites. Consistent with these results, greater expression of transforming growth factor‐&bgr;1 and stratifin was observed in treated sites. CONCLUSION Combination therapy of fractionated microneedle RF and fractional CO2 laser is a safe treatment protocol with a positive therapeutic effect on striae distensae.

Application of platelet-rich plasma accelerates the wound healing process in acute and chronic ulcers through rapid migration and upregulation of cyclin A and CDK4 in HaCaT cells

Application of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used for chronic wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PRP on the wound healing processes of both acute and chronic ulcers and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. We treated 16 patients affected by various acute and chronic ulcers with PRP. We performed molecular studies of cell proliferation, migration assays, immunoblotting and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays in PRP-treated HaCaT keratinocyte cells. PRP treatment induced increased rates of cell proliferation and cell migration of HaCaT cells. In addition, the expression of cyclin A and cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4 proteins was markedly increased with a low concentration (0.5%) of PRP treatment in HaCaT cells. In 11 patients with chronic ulcers, including stasis ulcers, diabetic ulcers, venous leg ulcers, livedoid vasculitis, claw foot and traumatic ulcers, 9 patients showed 90-100% epithelization after 15.18 days. In 5 patients with acute ulcers, such as dehiscence, open wound and burn wound, 80-100% epithelization was achieved between 4 to 20 days. Topical application of PRP to acute and chronic skin ulcers significantly accelerated the epithelization process, likely through upregulation of the cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin A and CDK4.

A Case of an Unusual Eccrine Poroma on the Left Forearm Area

A 40-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic red to brown colored walnut-sized, dome shaped, hemorrhagic, crusted nodule on the left forearm. There was no previous history of trauma to the area. The first impression of this case was a vascular tumor or malignant lesion due to the large size and bleeding tendency. However, the final diagnosis, according to histologic and immunostaining methods, was a benign eccrine poroma that occurred on the left forearm, which is an unusual area for such a lesion. The tumor was excised and no recurrence was noted when she was examined 24 months later.

Primary Extramammary Paget's Disease Combined with Bowen's Disease in Vulva

Extramammary Pagets disease (EMPD) is a uncommon neoplastic condition of apocrine gland-bearing skin and its occurrence in combination with Bowens disease is very rare. The most common site of involvement is the vulva, although perineal, perianal, scrotal and penile skin may also be affected. EMPD is usually not combined with Bowens disease. We report an interesting case of EMPD combined with Bowens disease, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical stain.

The study on changes of rectum area in proton prostate cancer therapy

The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in the rectum area during treatment and to identify the rectum area within the given field of view in order to reproduce the same pose as that presented during therapy planning to properly deliver the planned dose to the prostate. We obtained digitally reconstructed radiographs after planning treatment for 30 patients out of all patients who had been subjected to proton prostate cancer therapy from August 2012 to November 2014 at this hospital. We then obtained an image using a digital imaging positioning system (DIPS) on the first day of treatment. When planning the digitally reconstructed radiograph treatment, we determined the change in size of the rectum between the actual treatment and treatment planning by measuring the cross section of the rectum and the cross section on the image from the DIPS. The results indicated that the rectum area in the digitally reconstructed radiograph taken during treatment planning and the rectum area obtained from the DIPS image during treatment were different. As a consequence, when region targeted for proton treatment of prostate cancer does not maintain a constant volume, the position of the prostate does not receive an adequate dose due to such changes. Therefore, the results of this study will be useful to determine the corresponding volume during a prostate treatment plan.

Weber-Cockayne Type Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Resulting from a Novel Mutation (c. 608T>C) in the Keratin 5 Gene.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), an inherited genetic disorder, is most often caused by a dominant-negative mutation in either the keratin 5 (KRT5) or the keratin 14 (KRT14) gene. These keratin mutants result in a weakened cytoskeleton and cause extensive cytolysis. It is important to analyze the KRT5 or KRT14 genes of the patient and their family members by mutational analysis in order to identify genetic defects as well as the need for genetic counseling. In this study, we present a 5-year-old Korean boy who had been developing blisters and erosions on the palms of his hands and soles of his feet since infancy. In addition, while his younger sister and father showed similar clinical manifestation, his mother did not. The patient was diagnosed with EBS based on clinical manifestation, which is characterized by the presence of blisters restricted to the palms and soles, histological findings, and mutational analysis. Mutational analysis of the patients DNA revealed a thymine-to-cytosine transition at codon 608 in the KRT-5 gene, resulting in a leucine-to-proline substitution in the keratin 5 protein. The same mutation was identified in the paternal, but not maternal, DNA. Here, we report a case of Weber-Cockayne type EBS with vesicles and bullae restricted to the palms and soles with a novel, paternally inherited mutation in KRT5 gene (exon2, c.608T>C).