Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis Before and After Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy.

Background/Purpose: Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease. It is a combination of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a nuclear receptor that regulates epidermal cell growth through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of keratinocytes terminal differentiation. Aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) therapy on VDR expression in the skin of psoriasis patients. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with different severities of psoriasis were assessed using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score. Lesional and non-lesional skin biopsies were obtained from each patient before NB-UVB therapy, and then a third lesional biopsy was performed after completing 24 sessions of NB-UVB. Immunohistochemistry for VDR was performed on all specimens. Results: There was a significant decrease in VDR expression in psoriatic lesions compared to that in non-lesional skin before treatment. A statistically negative correlation was detected between the degree of VDR expression before treatment and PASI score, family history, and duration of psoriasis. There was a significant increase in VDR expression at the sites of psoriasis lesions post-NB-UVB therapy compared to pretreatment lesional skin. Conclusion: VDR expression was down-regulated in psoriatic lesions compared to non-lesional skin, and NB-UVB therapy improved VDR expression in psoriasis skin lesions.

Treatment of stable nonsegmental vitiligo using transdermal delivery of 5-fluorouracil by fractional CO2 laser versus intralesional injection of 5-fluorouracil, both followed by narrow-band type ultraviolet B (UVB): A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Updates of treatment methods of stable vitiligo are needed to give better outcomes with a shorter duration of treatment. OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of transdermal 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) delivery using fractional CO2 (FrCO2 ) laser versus intralesional 5-FU injection, with narrow-band type ultraviolet B (UVB) (NB-UVB) therapy after both, in the treatment of stable vitiligo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study comprised 40 patients with nearly symmetrical stable vitiligo lesions. The left side was treated with FrCO2  laser followed by topical 5-FU (FrCO2  + 5-FU), while the right side was treated with 5-FU intradermal injection. Both procedures were done at 2-week intervals for 3 sessions followed by 24 sessions of narrow-band UVB for both sides. RESULTS: Repigmentation was demonstrated on the left side of 90% of patients and the right side of 85% of patients. As much as >50% improvement was demonstrated on the left side of 50% of patients, and the right side of 55% of patients. Intralesional 5-FU showed a statistically significant difference in repigmentation compared to FrCO2  + 5-FU. CONCLUSION: Both 5-FU injection and FrCO2  + 5-FU were effective therapeutic modalities for vitiligo. Patients were more compliant with FrCO2  + 5-FU.

Potential role of tumor-associated macrophages and CD163/CD68 ratio in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome in correlation with serum sCD163 and CCL22.

Currently, there are no curative treatment options for mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) other than stem cell transplant. Understanding the interplay between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment could aid in the development of new therapies. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) mostly have M2 phenotype that promotes tumor progression. This study investigated CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs as well as CD163/CD68 ratio in skin lesions from different stages of MF, large-plaque parapsoriasis, and SS. Moreover, we analyzed serum levels of sCD163 and CCL22 in correlation with TAMs count and CD163/CD68 ratio. CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs count significantly increased as the disease progressed. CD163/CD68 ratio was highest at MF tumor stage and SS indicating M2 polarization with disease progression. Significant positive correlations were detected between serum levels of sCD163 and CCL22 and CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs count and CD163/CD68 ratio. We concluded that TAMs play an important role in MF progression. High CD163/CD68 ratio in tumor stage MF and SS indicates M2 polarization of TAMs with tumor progression. CD163/CD68 ratio should be considered in assessing TAMs rather than total TAMs count. Also, sCD163 and CCL22 serum levels reflect M2 load and thus could be used as markers to assess disease progression.

Evaluation of PSP technique including dot peeling, subcision and intradermal injection of PRP in the treatment of atrophic post-acne scars.

BACKGROUND: Atrophic post-acne scars are common complications of acne. Many modalities are proposed, but each does not yield satisfactory clinical outcomes. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of PSP technique including dot peeling, subcision and intradermal injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of atrophic post-acne scars. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with different types of atrophic acne scars on the face were included. All patients received PSP technique in the form of dot peeling, then after 2 weeks, subcision and intradermal PRP injection were done simultaneously. PSP technique was performed for each patient every month for 3 months. RESULTS: After 3 months of the last session, 30% of 20 patients had excellent improvement, 20% of patients had good improvement, 20% of patients had moderate improvement, and 30% of patients had mild improvement. There was statistically significant difference after treatment (p ≤ .001). Side effects were mild and tolerable and included erythema, ecchymosis, and hyperpigmentation. All types of scars showed significant improvement with no significant difference between them. CONCLUSION: PSP technique was found to be a safe and cost-effective treatment option for atrophic acne scars.

Dickkopf-1 Expression in Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata in Male Patients.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) results from shortening of the anagen phase of the hair cycle and, subsequently, miniaturization of hair follicles. Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease of autoimmunity where T cells attack anagen hair follicles and shows multifactorial etiology. Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is a gene that is responsible for transformation of anagen to catagen, which suggests that it is involved in development of both diseases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the tissue levels of dickkopf-1 in male patients with AGA and AA in comparison with controls, in an attempt to know its role in the pathogenesis of both disorders. METHODS: DKK-1 immunohistochemical expression was evaluated in lesional scalp biopsies taken from 20 male patients with AGA evaluated clinically by the modified Norwood-Hamilton score, 20 male patients with AA evaluated clinically by SALT score, and 20 healthy controls within the same age and sex of the studied patients. RESULTS: A highly significant difference in DKK-1 expression between patients with AGA and healthy controls was found (P2 < 0.001). There were also significant differences in DKK-1 expression between patients with AA and healthy controls (P3 = 0.013), and between both patient groups (P1 = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Both AGA and AA showed significant increase in DKK-1 immunohistochemical expression. This may enhance the idea of its possible role in the pathogenesis of AGA and AA, and being a new target for treatment of these hair disorders.

Cellular retinol-binding protein-1 expression increases with increasing clinical severity of alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is multifactorial disease mostly autoimmune affecting anagen hair follicles. Many researchers hypothesize that adequate retinoic acid (RA) levels are important for proper hair follicle behavior. Previous animal studies revealed increase in RA synthesis proteins and decrease in RA degradation proteins in AA patients when compared with controls. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cellular retinol-binding protein-1 expression in lesional skin of alopecia areata in comparison with controls, in an attempt to know its role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata . METHODS: Immunohistochemical expression of cellular retinol-binding protein-1 CRBP1 was evaluated in skin biopsies taken from lesions of alopecia areata in 30 patients and 10 normal biopsy specimens taken from skin of healthy controls (HC) who were within the same age and sex. RESULTS: CRBP1 expression was significantly increased in lesional alopecia areata skin in comparison with normal skin of controls (P < 0.001*). Significant positive correlation was found between expression of CRBP-1 and percentage of hair loss in the scalp (SALT score; r = 0.840, P = <0.001). CONCLUSION: These results may enhance the idea of the possible role of CRBP1 in the pathogenesis of AA, and ensuring the importance of its level in AA treatment.

Discoidin domain receptor-1 as a player in impairment of melanocytes adhesion process in vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to study immunohistochemical expression of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) in lesional and non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients in comparison to controls, to explore its possible implication vitiligo pathogenesis. METHODS: Twenty patients with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) were subjected to punch biopsy from lesional and non-lesional vitiligo skin, in addition to punch biopsy from ten healthy subjects. All specimens were examined by H&E staining and by immunohistochemistry for DDR1 expression. RESULTS: Significantly decreased expression of DDR1 in lesional vitiligo skin in comparison to non-lesional skin was observed. In addition, decreased lesional and non-lesional DDR1 expression in vitiligo skin in comparison to controls was found. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced DDR1 expression may be implicated in impaired melanocyte adhesion process involved in vitiligo pathogenesis.

Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of different concentrations of trichloroacetic acid vs. carbon dioxide laser in treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum.

BACKGROUND: There are numerous methods currently available for the management of xanthelasma. These include surgical excision, laser ablation using a variety of lasers and chemical cauterization. However, each method of treatment is associated with particular limitations and side effects. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of different concentrations of topical trichloroacetic acid (TCA) vs. carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum. METHODS: Thirty patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum were classified into four groups, treated by TCA 35%, 50%, 70%, and CO2 laser, respectively. Lipid profile was estimated for all patients. RESULTS: Both TCA peeling 70% and carbon dioxide laser ablation showed more significant clinical efficacy and tolerability with least number of sessions in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum than 50% and 35% TCA peeling. Post-therapy erythema and hypopigmentation were more with TCA 70%. Post-therapy hyperpigmentation was more with TCA (50%). There was a significant improvement in patients with normal lipid profile than those with abnormal profile. CONCLUSION: Both TCA peeling 70% and carbon dioxide laser ablation are highly effective and well tolerated with least number of sessions in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum.