Tomozo Oku

Psoriatic leukotactic factor. Further physicochemical characterization and effect on the epidermal cells

SummaryA leukocyte chemotactic factor with a molecular weight of around 12,500 daltons is found in large amounts in psoriatic scales. Except for complement-activated serum none of the extracts prepared from individual contaminants found in psoriatic scales showed an elution pattern similar to that of the psoriatic leukotactic factor (PLF) by Sephadex G-75 chromatography. Checkerboard experiments showed that PLF was highly chemotactic and mildly chemokinetic for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Purification of PLF yielded a cationic peptide fraction similar to that of anaphylatoxin. Intradermal injection of a potent PLF solution into guinea pigs produced degenerative changes in the epidermis within 24 h, particularly in the differentiated cells of the upper epidermis. It increased epidermopoiesis as assessed by incorporation of 3H-thymidine. Planimetric analysis of the epidermis revealed a marked increase in epidermal thickness after 5 days. Since PLF per se did not influence the proliferative capabilities of isolated basal cells or exert any damaging effect on differentiated epidermal cells in human epidermal cell culture, we speculated that PLF induced the advent of PMNs abound with hydrolytic enzymes and toxic substances, which were responsible for the damage of the upper epidermis resulting in the formation of parakeratosis and of acanthosis.ZusammenfassungEin leukozytenstimulierender chemotaktischer Faktor mit einem Molekulargewicht von annähernd 12500 Dalton kann reichlich aus Psoriasisschuppen isoliert werden. Mit Ausnahme von komplementaktiviertem Serum zeigte keiner der Extrakte aus Psoriasisschuppen bei der chromatographischen Analyse mit Sephadex G-75 ein dem psoriatischen leukotaktischen Faktor (PLF) ähnliches Elutionsmuster. Experimentell konnte gezeigt werden, daß der PLF stark chemotaktisch und mäßig chemokinetisch auf neutrophile Granulozyten wirkt. Eine weitere Reinigung des PLF erbrachte schließlich eine kationische Peptidfraktion ähnlich dem Anaphylatoxin.Bei intradermaler Injektion von PLF an Meerschweinchen zeigten sich innerhalb von 24 h degenerative epidermale Veränderungen, wobei besonders die differenzierten Zellen der oberen Epidermis betroffen waren. Darüber hinaus wurde die Epidermopoese, gemessen an der 3H-Thymidin-Markierung, beschleunigt. Durch Planimetrie konnte eine deutliche Verdickung der Epidermis nach 5 Tagen gezeitt werden. Da der PLF per se weder die Proliferation isolierter Basalzellen beeinflußte noch eine schädigende Wirkung auf Kulturen menschlicher Epidermiszellen ausübte, kann spekulativ vorgeschlagen werden, daß der PLF die Einwanderung von neutrophilen, mit hydrolytischen Enzymen und toxischen Substanzen beladenen Granulozyten bewirkt, wodurch die Schädigung der oberen Epidermis zustande kommt und daraus eine Parakeratose und akanthose resultiert.

Primary tissue culture of spontaneously regressing flat warts. In vitro attack by mononuclear cells against wart‐derived epidermal cells

Although tumors may be resolved due to host immune response, it is difficult to obtain direct evidence of this in man. Numerous flat warts, human papilloma virus type 3‐induced papillomas, disappear systemically and simultaneously after showing inflammatory changes. Histologically, there is a dense cellular infiltration composed of lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes as identified by α‐naphthyl acetate esterase staining in situ, the former being predominant in most cases. The primary tissue culture of such inflamed flat warts from ten cases revealed a proliferation of wart‐derived keratinocytes as is the case with ordinary flat warts. However, in nine of the ten cases, massive mononuclear cells, most of which were T‐lymphocytes, migrated out of the explants and began to attack these keratinocytes, inducing degenerative changes. These findings indicate that cell‐mediated tumor cell destruction rather than antiviral reaction induces systemic spontaneous regression of multiple papillomas in man.

Cell proliferation kinetics of cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts measured using a monoclonal antibody.

Measurements of cell cycle kinetics using an immunoperoxidase method employing monoclonal anti‐bromodeoxyuridinc (BrdU) antibody were compared with an autoradiographic method using [3H]‐thymidine. The methods were applied to epithelial cells grown from explants of normal skin and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and to fibroblasts from normal skin, hypertrophic scar and keloid.

Adult T-cell leukemia with regression of erythroderma and simultaneous emergence of leukemia

A patient with smoldering adult T-cell leukemia had refractory erythroderma. Concomitant with the development of acute leukemia, the cutaneous lesions disappeared spontaneously. This suggests an extensive release of tumor cells from the skin to the blood.

Tissue cultures of benign and malignant fibrous histiocytomas: SEM observations

Four dermatofibromas (DF), 2 dermatofibrosarcomata protuberans (DFSP), 2 atypical fibroxanthmas of the skin (AFX), and one malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) were studied by explant culture technique and scanning electron microscopy. Differences in the cellular atypism, phagocytic activity and motility were observed between histiocyte‐like cells extending from a DF and DFSP group and an AFX and MFH group. Such cytological characteristics was maintained during in vitro transformation of the cells into fibroblastic cells. It was concluded that culture behaviors of the cells from each tumor group correlated well with in vivo growth and histologic features. We feel that examination of m vitro morphology of fibrous histiocytomas may prove useful in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

A Peculiar Form of Epidermotropism in Cutaneous Metastatic Carcinoma

A 71‐year‐old man developed metastatic cutaneous nodules of colon carcinoma on the scalp and chest wall. Histopathological findings revealed aggressive invasion of the tumor cells into the overlying epidermis (epidermotropic carcinoma); they occasionally adhered to the epidermal cells. These morphological features have not been described in cutaneous metastases from internal carcinomas.