The mechanisms of estrogen and progesterone in human cutaneous pigmentation are largely unknown. The molecular identification of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the human melanocytes is of great importance to understand the mechanisms. We performed immunocytochemistry analysis and demonstrated that ER and PR were expressed in the cytoplasms and nuclei of human melanocytes. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequence analysis confirmed the expression of ER and PR at the transcriptional level. Despite of the presence of ER and PR, the physiological and pregnant levels of estrogen and progesterone showed inconsistent effects on the proliferation and tyrosinase activity of cultured human melanocytes. These results suggest that human melanocytes express ER and PR, which have a donor-specific action in human pigmentation. Further studies are needed to elucidate the induction mechanism and functions of these receptors, and the role of estrogen and progesterone in melanocytes.
Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Estrogens/*pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Melanocytes/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism ; Mitogens/pharmacology ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Progesterone/*pharmacology ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics/*metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics/*metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin/drug effects ; Skin Pigmentation/drug effects ; Tissue Donors

To determine the precise chromosomal localization of tyrosine related protein-1 and -2 (TRP-1 and TRP-2) genes by fluorescence in situ hybridization, we used DNAs isolated from human bacterial artificial chromosome clones. They contain genomic sequences with approximately 120 kb inserts for TRP-1 and TRP-2. The TRP-1 and TRP-2 genes were assigned to human chromosome bands 9p23 and 13q32.1, respectively. These results confirmed the previously mapped location for the TRP-1 gene and more precisely located the TRP-2 gene, which had previously been mapped to chromosome 13q31-q32.
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13/genetics* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9/genetics* ; Gene Library ; Human ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/genetics* ; Proteins/genetics*

Despite the various responses of human skin to female sex hormones, cellular and subcellular targets and the mechanisms of action of estrogen and progesterone in human skin are not well understood. The detection of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the skin is of great importance to understand the effect of estrogen and progesterone. In primary cultures of human keratinocytes, expression of ER and PR was monitored by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Paraffin embedded skin tissues were stained with monoclonal antibodies to human ER and PR by immunohistochemistry. Cultured human keratinocytes expressed cytoplasmic PR protein and PR mRNA transcripts. By contrast, ER was detected only at the mRNA level. Suprabasal keratinocytes from samples of pruritic urticarial papules, plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) and psoriasis were stained positively only for PR, while those from samples of erythema nodosum were negative for both ER and PR. Lesional epidermis of PUPPP showed positive PR immunoreactivity, while nonlesional epidermis did not. No other cells in the normal human skin were stained with ER and PR. The present study suggests that by expressing PR human keratinocytes act as targets for progesterone action.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Human ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Infant ; Keratinocytes/metabolism* ; Keratinocytes/cytology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen/biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics* ; Receptors, Progesterone/biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; Skin/pathology ; Skin/metabolism ; Skin Diseases/metabolism

A 43-year-old male patient visited our clinic complaining of persistent erythematous skin eruptions on the anterior chest, abdomen, and back for 10 years. Reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) syndrome was diagnosed by the clinical and histopathologic features. Mucin deposition is much more conspicuous in papular lesions than in plaque lesions. Therefore, we suggest that the papular lesions may show the characteristic changes of REM and that a biopsy specimen should be obtained from a papular lesion for proper diagnosis of REM syndrome.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Mucinoses* ; Mucins ; Skin ; Thorax

Keratosis lichenoides chronica is rare chronic dermatosis characterized by progressive development of licheniod papulonodules especially on the extremities and trunk. A 15-year-old male patient had erythematous to violaceous scaly patches and plaques on the left side of trunk and lower extremity along Blaschko's lines. Clinical and histologic findings were compatible with keratosis lichenoides chronica showing unilateral distribution.
Adolescent ; Extremities ; Humans ; Keratosis* ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND: The clinical behavior of vitiligo has not been clearly understood and hypothesis concerning the pathogenesis of the disease has been confusing and contradictory though autoimmune mechanisms have been considered important by many authors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of the clinical features and pathogenesis of vitiligo. METHODS: We investigated clinical features of vitiligo in 1315 patients, and also compared the clinical course and features of non-segmental type(type A) and segmental type(type B) vitiligo patients to see whether the two types of vitiligo have a different pathogenic mechanism. RESULTS: Previously reported clinical patterns of the disease were reviewed and compared with our data, and the different clinical findings between the two types which supported the hypothesis of Koga et al. that type A and type B vitiligo had a different pathogenesis and autoimmune mechanisms played a role only in type A were shown. CONCLUSION: We investigated the clinical characteristics of vitiligo in Korea and showed that the type A vitiligo might have a different pathogenic mechanism with type B.
Clinical Study* ; Humans ; Korea ; Vitiligo*

BACKGROUND: Cytoskeletons, the complex set of protein fibers found in the cytoplasm, have important roles in the movement of cells and subcellular structures and the generation of shapes. Melanocytes have numerous dendritic processes which are in direct contact with many keratinocytes and transfer the melanosomes into the neighboring keratinocytes. Little information is available on the structure and function of cytoskeletons, and the effects of ultraviolet light on the cytoskeletons of the melanocytes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the general cytoskeletal system of cultured melanocytes and to find out the effects of the cytoskeletal antagonists and UVB on the cytoskeletal system of the cultured melanocytes. METHODS: Melanocytes were cultured from adult foreskin and then exposed to various cytoskeletal antagonists and UVB radiation. The changes of the cultured melanocytes were evaluated by using phase contrast microscopy, immunofluorescence staining methods and electron microscopic examinations. RESULTS: Colchicine produced shortening of dendrites, stellate cellular contour and granular fluorescence of the tubulin. Cytochalasin D produced round cellular contour and granular fluorescence of the actin. Acrylamide produced disorganization of cytoplasmic constituents, but no specific fluorescent change was observed. Colchicine also had inhibitory effects on the vimentin. Cellular responses induced by these agents were reversible. UVB caused morphological changes of the melanocytes, but their effects on the organization of the cytoskeletal system could not be detected in this method. CONCLUSION: Microtubules are related to the dendritic movement of the melanocytes. Vimentin may be involved in the transfer of cellular organelles, probably including the melanosomes. Cytoskeletal antagonists produce their characteristic morphological changes to cultured melanocytes.
Acrylamide ; Actins ; Adult ; Colchicine ; Cytochalasin D ; Cytoplasm ; Cytoskeleton* ; Dendrites ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Foreskin ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes* ; Melanosomes ; Methods ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Microtubules ; Organelles ; Tubulin ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vimentin

Sunlight is one of the well-established factors which play key roles in the induction and exacerbation of lupus erythematosus. In two patients of discoid lupus erythematosus, we have experimentally reproduced skin lesions by provocative phototesting. Both UVA (100 joules/cm²) and UVB (80 millijoules/cm²) radiation induced the skin lesions. The reproduced skin lesions were clinically and histopathologically consistent with lupus erythematosus.
Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid ; Reproduction* ; Skin ; Sunlight

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is an autosomal dominant condition due to decreased activity of ferrochelatase. The disease is characterized by a wide range of photocutaneous changes and occasionally by liver disease. The level of protoporphyin is raised in erythkocytes and it may also be increased in the feces. We report herein a case of EPP present in a family which was diagnosed by a high free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) count.
Erythrocytes ; Feces ; Ferrochelatase ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic*

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is an autosomal dominant condition due to decreased activity of ferrochelatase. The disease is characterized by a wide range of photocutaneous changes and occasionally by liver disease. The level of protoporphyin is raised in erythkocytes and it may also be increased in the feces. We report herein a case of EPP present in a family which was diagnosed by a high free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) count.
Erythrocytes ; Feces ; Ferrochelatase ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic*