Elevated expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A (SAA) in the skin and the serum of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: Skin as a possible source of IL-6 through Toll-like receptor ligands and SAA.

The effect of persistent skin inflammation on extracutaneous organs and blood is not well studied. Patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a severe form of the inherited blistering skin disorder, have widespread and persistent skin ulcers, and they develop various complications including anaemia, hyperglobulinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and secondary amyloidosis. These complications are associated with the bioactivities of IL-6, and the development of secondary amyloidosis requires the persistent elevation of serum amyloid A (SAA) level. We found that patients with RDEB had significantly higher serum levels of IL-6 and SAA compared to healthy volunteers and patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Both IL-6 and SAA were highly expressed in epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts of the skin ulcer lesions. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts surrounding the ulcer lesions are continuously exposed to Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, pathogen-associated and damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. In vitro, TLR ligands induced IL-6 expression via NF-κB in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). SAA further induced the expression of IL-6 via TLR1/2 and NF-κB in NHEKs and NHDFs. The limitation of this study is that NHEKs and NHDFs were not derived from RDEB patients. These observations suggest that TLR-mediated persistent skin inflammation might increase the risk of IL-6-related systemic complications, including RDEB.

A Case of Streptobacillus moniliformis Infection with Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis.

A 71-year-old man presented with a high fever, polyarthralgia, petechiae and palpable purpura accompanied by livedoid change on his legs and feet. Histopathological findings of the purpura revealed perivascular infiltration of neutrophils, mononuclear cells, and nuclear debris, and extravasation of red cells mainly in the upper dermis: all signs consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Small vessel thrombi, which are characteristic features of septic vasculopathy, were also observed. Direct immunofluorescence showed negative results. Blood culture revealed the growth of gram-negative bacilli. Subsequently, 16S rRNA sequencing of DNA confirmed the organism as Streptobacillus moniliformis, which is the causative pathogen of rat-bite fever. He had frequently encountered wild rats in his house although there was no evidence of rat bite on his body. Empiric therapy with intravenous administration of ceftriaxone in combination with azithromycin hydrate led to a prompt resolution of the symptoms. Precise history-taking related to contact with rats and detection of skin eruptions suggestive of leukocytoclastic vasculitis on the extremities, especially on the feet, can be clues to Streptobacillus moniliformis infection. Familiarity with its cutaneous features is important for early diagnosis; the evidence herein may also help in understanding its underlying pathogenesis.

The treatment effect of endovascular therapy for chronic limb-threatening ischemia with systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a collagen disease with immune abnormalities, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. Ca blockers and prostaglandins are used to treat peripheral circulatory disturbances. Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a disease characterized by extremity ulcers, necrosis, and pain due to limb ischemia. Since only a few patients present with coexistence of CLTI and SSc, the treatment outcomes of revascularization in these cases are unknown. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of seven patients with CLTI and SSc, and 35 patients with uncomplicated CLTI who were hospitalized from 2012 to 2022. A higher proportion of patients with uncomplicated CLTI had diabetes and male. There were no significant differences in the age at which ischemic ulceration occurred, other comorbidities, or in treatments, including antimicrobial agents, revascularization and amputation, improvement of pain, and the survival time from ulcer onset between the two subgroups. EVT or amputation was performed in six or two of the seven patients with CLTI and SSc, respectively. Among those who underwent EVT, 33% (2/6) achieved epithelialization and 67% (4/6) experienced pain relief. These results suggest that the revascularization in cases with CLTI and SSc should consider factors such as infection and general condition, since revascularization improve the pain of these patients.

Phase I/II clinical trial of brentuximab vedotin for pretreated Japanese patients with CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Brentuximab vedotin (BV), a conjugate of anti-CD30 antibody and monomethyl auristatin E, has emerged as a promising treatment option for refractory CD30+ mycosis fungoides (MF) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (pcALCL). BV has been shown to be safe and effective in treating Hodgkin's lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. This multicenter, prospective, single-arm phase I/II study evaluated the efficacy of BV in Japanese patients with CD30+ cutaneous lymphomas, namely CD30+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Participants were divided into two groups: those with CD30+ MF or pcALCL (cohort 1, n = 13) and those with CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders other than those in cohort 1 (cohort 2, n = 3). The studied population included the full analysis set (FAS), modified FAS (mFAS), and safety analysis set (SAF). These sets were identified in cohorts 1 and 1 + 2 and labeled FAS1 and FAS2, mFAS1 and mFAS2, and SAF1 and SAF2, respectively. Each treatment cycle lasted 3 weeks, and BV was continued for up to 16 cycles after the third cycle based on treatment response. The primary endpoint was the 4-month objective response rate (ORR4) determined by the Independent Review Forum (IRF). ORR4 was 69.2% for FAS1 and 62.5% for FAS2 (P < 0.0001). Secondary endpoints of ORR, assessed using the global response score (53.8% in FAS1) and modified severity-weighted assessment tool (62.5% in FAS1), using the IRF, provided results comparable to the primary findings. The incidence of ≥grade 3 adverse events (≥15%) in SAF1 was peripheral neuropathy in three patients (23%) and fever and eosinophilia in two patients (15%). In conclusion, BV showed favorable efficacy, tolerability, and safety profile in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory CD30+ primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The trial was registered with University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, Japan (protocol ID: UMIN000034205).

"Input/output cytokines" in epidermal keratinocytes and the involvement in inflammatory skin diseases.

Considering the role of epidermal keratinocytes, they occupy more than 90% of the epidermis, form a physical barrier, and also function as innate immune barrier. For example, epidermal keratinocytes are capable of recognizing various cytokines and pathogen-associated molecular pattern, and producing a wide variety of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial peptides. Previous basic studies have shown that the immune response of epidermal keratinocytes has a significant impact on inflammatory skin diseases. The purpose of this review is to provide foundation of knowledge on the cytokines which are recognized or produced by epidermal keratinocytes. Since a number of biologics for skin diseases have appeared, it is necessary to fully understand the relationship between epidermal keratinocytes and the cytokines. In this review, the cytokines recognized by epidermal keratinocytes are specifically introduced as "input cytokines", and the produced cytokines as "output cytokines". Furthermore, we also refer to the existence of biologics against those input and output cytokines, and the target skin diseases. These use results demonstrate how important targeted cytokines are in real skin diseases, and enhance our understanding of the cytokines.

Coexpression of natural killer cell antigens by T-cell large granular lymphocytes in hydroa vacciniforme lymphoproliferative disorder and the involvement of Vδ1 + epithelial-type γδT cells.

Hydroa vacciniforme lymphoproliferative disorder (HV-LPD) is a cutaneous variant of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease. We examined the coexpression of T- and natural killer (NK)-cell antigens in five patients with classic HV (cHV) and five with systemic HV (sHV). T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire analysis was performed with high­throughput sequencing. All five cHV patients had increased γδT cells (> 5%), whereas five sHV patients showed γδT- and αßT-cell dominance in two patients each, and a mixture of abnormal γδT and αßT cells in one. Circulating CD3 + T cells expressed CD16/CD56 at 7.8-42.3% and 1.1-9.7% in sHV and cHV, respectively. The percentage of CD16/CD56 + T cells was higher in the large granular lymphocyte or atypical T-cell fractions in sHV, but no TCR Vα24 invariant chain characteristic of NKT cells was detected. Considerable numbers of CD3 + cells expressing CD56 were observed in sHV skin infiltrates. Of the circulating γδT cells tested, TCR Vδ1 + cells characteristic of the epithelial type of γδT cells were dominant in two sHV cases. Thus, atypical αßT and γδT cells in HV-LPD can express NK-cell antigens, such as CD16 and CD56, and Vδ1 + epithelial-type γδT cells are a major cell type in some HV-LPD cases.

Co-occurrence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis exacerbates psoriasis associated with decreased adiponectin expression in a murine model.

Introduction: Clinical studies have suggested a bidirectional association between non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and psoriasis, affecting each other's development and severity. Here, we explored bidirectional causal linkages between NASH and psoriasis using a murine model. Methods: NASH was induced in mice by streptozotocin injection at 2 days of age and by high-fat diet feeding (STAM™ model). Psoriasis was induced by topical application of imiquimod (IMQ) on the ear. The severities of liver damage and psoriatic skin changes were determined using histological analysis. Gene expression in the skin tissues was evaluated using quantitative PCR analysis. Serum cytokine levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To examine the innate immune responses of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), the cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist. Results and Discussion: There were no differences in the degree of liver tissue damage (fat deposition, inflammation, and fibrosis) between NASH mice with and those without psoriasis. Conversely, the co-occurrence of NASH significantly augmented psoriatic skin changes, represented by epidermal hyperplasia, in psoriatic mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were expressed in the inflamed skin of psoriatic mice, and the expression of genes, especially Il23a, Il1b, Il36g, and Mip2, was significantly upregulated by the co-occurrence of NASH. The expression of keratinocyte activation marker genes Defb4b and Krt16 was also upregulated by the co-occurrence of NASH. The serum TNF-α and IL-17 levels were increased by the co-occurrence of NASH and psoriasis. The serum adiponectin levels decreased in NASH mice compared with that in non-NASH mice. In NHEK culture, TNF-α and IL-17A synergistically upregulated CXCL1, CXCL8, and IL1B expression. The upregulated pro-inflammatory gene expression was suppressed by AdipoRon treatment, reflecting the anti-inflammatory capacity of adiponectin. Conclusion: The co-occurrence of NASH exacerbated psoriatic skin changes associated with increased serum inflammatory cytokine levels and decreased serum adiponectin levels. Combined with in vitro findings, increased inflammatory cytokine levels and decreased adiponectin levels likely promote innate immune responses in epidermal keratinocytes in psoriatic skin lesions. Overall, therapeutic intervention for co-occurring NASH is essential to achieve a favorable prognosis of psoriasis in clinical practice.

Childhood tinea incognito caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale mimicking pustular psoriasis.

Tinea incognito refers to fungal infection whose clinical appearance is modified or aggravated by administration of systemic or topical corticosteroids. We report a case of pustular psoriasis-like tinea incognito caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale under topical corticosteroid therapy. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 2 region, in addition to the D1D2 domain of the 26S ribosomal RNA gene, was helpful in identifying the fungal species.

Letter: Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma of extremities in an elderly patient successfully treated with low-dose prednisolone.

We describe a 93-year-old Japanese woman who developed a painful yellowish plaque with reddish border on her left lower leg. Histological evaluation demonstrated hyaline necrobiosis and granulomatous lesions composed of histiocytes (some with foamy cytoplasm), multinucleated giant cells, and numerous cholesterol crystals. Serum electrophoresis displayed the presence of an M-peak with IgG λ paraproteinemia. There was progressive ulcer formation in the location of the biopsy on the left leg. Multiple tender red dermal and subcutaneous skin nodules developed on her extremities. Oral administration of prednisolone 20 mg daily (0.5 mg/kg) was started. After 4 weeks, she obtained resolution of the skin lesions.

Two cases of severe congenital hypotrichosis caused by compound heterozygous mutations in the LSS gene.

It has recently been shown that bi-allelic mutations in the lanosterol synthase (LSS) gene, which was originally reported as a causative gene for congenital cataracts, underlie a non-syndromic form of hypotrichosis. Furthermore, it has also been revealed that mutations in the LSS gene can cause syndromic forms of hypotrichosis. To date, however, clear genotype-phenotype correlations have not completely been characterized. In this study, we identified two Japanese patients who had severe congenital hypotrichosis without any other associated findings. Their scalp hairs were extremely short and thin, and were able to be plucked easily. Observation of the plucked hairs showed aberrantly-miniaturized anagen hair follicles. Genetic analysis demonstrated that both patients carried bi-allelic mutations in the LSS gene in a compound heterozygote state. Our findings further underscore the crucial roles of the LSS gene in hair follicle development and hair growth in humans.

Seborrheic dermatitis-like eruption following interleukin-2 administration.

We describe a 72-year-old man suffering from renal cell carcinoma with lung metastases who developed scaly erythema on his face after the administration of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). A skin biopsy revealed intraepidermal and superficial perivascular infiltrate of mononuclear cells that were mainly composed of CD3 positive T-cells. There have been two cases of seborrheic dermatitis-like eruption induced by rIL-2. However, neither of them had histopathological evaluation. To our knowledge, this is the first case of seborrheic dermatitis-like eruption following rIL-2 administration whose histopathological investigations were performed.

Dermal fillers do not induce upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasomes or expression of inflammatory cytokines in granulomas.

BACKGROUND: Filling materials have increasingly been used in aesthetics over the last decades. Understanding the pathophysiology of granuloma formation as a very relevant unwanted side effect of filler application may be essential to help avoid these adverse events. AIMS: Our aim was to investigate the role of the inflammasome in the formation of filler granuloma, as a central column of the innate immune response. METHODS: RPMI 1640 medium was used for growth of THP-1 cells and the induction of THP-1 macrophages. Sonication was applied in order to crush the acrylic particles of the filler. ELISA was the method of analysis for the specific cytokines. Biopsy specimens of filler granuloma were analyzed by various immunohistochemical methods. GraphPad Prism 5 software was used for the statistical data analysis. RESULTS: Neither was the sensor NALP3 overexpressed, nor could an elevated expression of cleaved IL-1ß, IL-18, or IFN-γ be detected. Furthermore, no increased expression of IL-8 or IL-1ß was detectable in vitro. CONCLUSION: No increased inflammasome activation could be observed; however, filler granulomas were infiltrated with granulocytes and macrophages. Therefore, we speculate that an unspecific immune response might be the key player in the formation of filler granuloma.