BACKGROUND: A living skin equivalent(LSE) is useful as a skin replacement and as a model system for basic studies such as skin physiology and pathology. This system attempts to reproduce in vitro the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions responsible for cell differentiation. Recently, there have been many studies that cytokines(IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha) play an important role in proliferating skin disease, especially psoriasis. Hesides, many cytokines can influence the proliferation and differentiation of normal human keratinocytes. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In the present study, the author investigated the proliferation and differentiation of cytokines in LSE as compared with control skin using histopathological and immunohistochemical staining methods. The author also investigated the proper concentration of cytokines on the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes. RESULTS: Morphological analysis of LSE showed reorganization of epidermal layers with the appearance of a distinct basal laer and of a hyperkeratotic horny layer. We demonstrated that the fine granules resembling keratchyaline granules were observed in the control and cytokine treated groups(IL-l alpha, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-alpha). We observed significant epidermal proliferation in the PBMC (25%), IL 6(10ng), TGF-beta(20ng) treated groups than in the control group(p<0.01). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the terminal differentiation marker involucrin was expressed at the level of the prickle cell layer in the cytokine treated groups. Also the cellular proliferation marker PCNA was expressed at the level of the basal layer in the PBMC(25%), IL-2(100ng) and IL-6(10ng) treated groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that cytokine IL-6 and TGF-beta can induce a proliferation and differentiation of the epidermis in this in vitro model.
Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines* ; Epidermis ; Humans* ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Keratinocytes ; Lymphocytes* ; Pathology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Psoriasis ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Physiological Phenomena ; Skin* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

The pathogenesis of vitiligo is still unresolved. The three classically held theories are the immune hypothesis, neural hypothesis, and self destruct hypothesis. Recently the immunologic hypothesis is the most important. We analysed natural killer cell activities of 30 cases of vitiligo by Cr release assay, also analysed T cells and T cell subsets of 7 cases of vitiligo in peripheral blood by monoclonal antibody. The result were as follows l. A statistically significant increase of natural killer cell activity was observed in patients with vitiligo(67.5+/-19.2%) in comparison with control subjects(54.7+/-14.7%) 2. 5lo significant difference of natural killer cell activity was observed in patients whose onset of disease was less than 1 year(66.2+/-19.6%) in comparison with more than 1 year(72.0+/-18.4%) 3. No significant difference of natural killer cell activity was observed in patients with vitiligo between generalized(68.3+/-20.6) and localized type(70.3+/-18.0%). 4. The mean value of T cell, T cell subsets(T3, T4, TS) in patients with vitiligo(78. 8+/-10.8, 42.4+/-6.1, 26.46.8%) showed no significant difference in comparison with control subjects(75.3+/-6.3, 43.5+/-8.7, 26.1+/-6.69).
Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets* ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Vitiligo*

We report a case of Darier's disease occuring in 49-year-old female patient. She had hyperkeratotic crusted eruptions on her forehead, neck and posterior auricular area. The skin lesions aggravated in summer and improved in winter, but never been healed completely. Histopathologic features from neck lesions revealed hyperkeratosis with corps ronds and grains as well as formation of villi and laeunae. We treated her with oral etretinate, and she was almost completely free of disease after 3 months treatment. We suggested that etretinate is an importnat advance in the treatment of Darier's disease.
Acitretin* ; Edible Grain ; Darier Disease ; Etretinate* ; Female ; Forehead ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Skin

We report a case of childhood dermatomyositis t.hat developed in a 10-year-old boy. Skin lesion showed malar erythema, Gottron's papule, and poikiloderma those were compatible with dermatomyositis. And other clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings supported the diagnosis of derrnatomyositis. We treated him with oral corticosteroid, the lesion was improved and regular periodic follow up was attempted. From summary of all data of patient, this case was typical Brunsting type of childhood dermatomyositis.
Child ; Dermatomyositis* ; Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Skin