The gingival epithelium of the oral cavity is constantly exposed to exogenous stimuli such as bacterial toxins, allergens, and thermal changes. These exogenous stimuli are resisted by innate host defense in gingival epithelial cells. However, it is unclear exactly how the exogenous stimuli affect detrimentally on the human gingival epithelial cells. Here, we investigated whether the allergen, such as house dust mite (HDM) extract, is linked to Ca2+ signaling and proinflammatory cytokine expression in primary cultured human gingival epithelial cells. HDM extract induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner. Extracellular Ca2+ depletion did not affected on the HDM extract-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The HDM extract-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was abolished by the treatment with U73122 and 2-APB, which are inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor. Moreover, HDM extract induced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-8. These results suggest that HDM extract triggers PLC/IP3-dependent Ca2+ signaling and IL-8 mRNA expression in primary cultured human gingival epithelial cells.
Allergens ; Bacterial Toxins ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate ; Interleukin-8* ; Interleukins ; Mouth ; Pyroglyphidae* ; RNA, Messenger ; Type C Phospholipases

An oral environment is constantly exposed to environmental factors and microorganisms. The periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts within this environment are subject to bacterial infection and allergic reaction. However, how these condition affect PDL fibroblasts has yet to be elucidated. PDL fibroblasts were isolated from healthy donors. We examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and measuring the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). This study investigated the receptors activated by exogenous bacterial pathogens (Lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan) and allergens (German cockroach extract and house dust mite) as well as these pathogenic mediators-induced effects on the intracellular Ca2+ signaling in human PDL fibroblasts. Moreover, we evaluated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8) and bone remodeling mediators (receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand and osteoprotegerin) and intracellular Ca2+-involved effect. Bacterial pathogens and allergic mediators induced increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and these results are dependent on intracellular Ca2+. However, bacterial pathogens and allergic mediators did not lead to increased expression of bone remodeling mediators, except lipopolysaccharide-induced effect on receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand expression. These experiments provide evidence that a pathogens and allergens-induced increase in [Ca2+]i affects the inflammatory response in human PDL fibroblasts.
Allergens* ; Bacterial Infections ; Bone Remodeling ; Calcium Signaling ; Cockroaches ; Cytokines ; Dust ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; NF-kappa B ; Periodontal Ligament ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; Tissue Donors

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare disease with intramural gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract. The causes of PCI are various, and are commonly associated with collagen vascular disease. We present a case of a 48-year-old female with dermatomyositis (DM) who also developed PCI. Her risk of PCI may have been increased by multiple factors such as gender, DM itself, and medications including corticosteroids, methotrexate, and azathioprine. While the cause of, and risk factors for PCI in DM patients are not well known on a global scale, outcomes range from benign to life threatening. Therefore, we present a case study and review the literature to identify candidate risk factors for PCI.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Azathioprine ; Collagen ; Dermatomyositis* ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; Middle Aged ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis* ; Rare Diseases ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Diseases

BACKGROUND: The TRUE test is a commercially available ready-to-apply patch test widely used in many countries, but no large-scale study is available on the TRUE test in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the type, frequency, and changes in the common contact allergens in Korea using the TRUE test. METHODS: From January 2009 to March 2010, TRUE tests were performed on patients with contact dermatitis at the Departments of Dermatology of 15 hospitals. The epidemiological findings of patients, and the results of the patch tests were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 795 patch tested cases (246 males, 549 females) were compiled and analyzed. The oldest age distribution was the third decade in both males and females, and housewives and office-workers were the most common jobs, comprising 29.7% and 19.8% of the occupations, respectively. Overall, 65.1% of patients had at least one positive reaction, and the most common allergens were nickel sulfate (34.1%), thimerosal (12.6%), cobalt chloride (11.1%), and p-phenylenediamine (8.4%), in order of frequency. A univariate analysis of multiple variables including age, gender, occupation, and affected sites was conducted and a comparison with a previous multicenter study was also analyzed. CONCLUSION: These results provide the basis for use of the TRUE test in patients with contact dermatitis in Korea.
Age Distribution ; Allergens ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nickel ; Occupations ; Patch Tests ; Phenylenediamines ; Thimerosal

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is one of the most common skin disorders and negatively affects quality of life. However, a large-scale multicenter study investigating the clinical features of patients with hand eczema has not yet been conducted in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of various hand diseases, which is defined as all cutaneous disease occurring in hands, and to investigate the clinical features of patients with hand eczema and the awareness about hand eczema in the general population and to compare the prevalence of hand eczema between health care providers and non-health care providers. METHODS: To estimate the prevalence of hand diseases, we analyzed the medical records of patients from 24 medical centers. Patients were assessed by online and offline questionnaires. A 1,000 from general population and 913 hand eczema patients answered the questionnaire, for a total of 1,913 subjects. RESULTS: The most common hand disease was irritant contact dermatitis. In an online survey, the lifetime prevalence of hand eczema was 31.2%. Hand eczema was more likely to occur in females (66.0%) and younger (20~39 years, 53.9%). Health care providers and housewives were the occupations most frequently associated with hand eczema. Winter (33.6%) was the most common season which people experienced aggravation. The 63.0% and 67.0% answered that hand eczema hinders their personal relationship and negatively affects daily living activities, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hand eczema is a very common disease and hinders the quality of life. The appropriate identification of hand eczema is necessary to implement effective and efficient treatment.
Activities of Daily Living ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Eczema* ; Female ; Hand* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Seasons ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires