Congenital trichofolliculoma: a very rare presentation.

Trichofolliculoma is an uncommon hair follicle hamartoma. It usually appears during adulthood on the face or scalp as a single, asymptomatic, skin-colored papule/nodule with small protruding hairs. Histopathological features are diagnostic. Very rare congenital cases have been reported. Herein, we report a congenital trichofolliculoma in a 15-year-old girl.

miRNA-133 and lncRNA-H19 expressions and their relation to serum levels of PKM2 and TGF-ß in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background and aims: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a common autoimmune disorder involving the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs with an elusive pathophysiology. SSc is believed to be a genetically prone T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. miRNAs and lncRNAs were thought to be involved in the etiology of several immunological diseases including SSc. This work aimed to assess the expression of miRNA-133, lncRNA-H19, PKM2, and TGF-ß levels in SSc in comparison to controls and their relationship to the clinical course and severity of disease. Patients and methods: Fifty patients with SSc and 40 healthy age and sex-matched controls were included in this study. miRNA-133 and H19 expression levels were detected using quantitative RT-PCR while serum levels of PKM2 and TGF-ß were measured using ELISA techniques. Patients' clinical data and treatments received were extracted and correlated with proteins investigated. Results: Our results showed that miRNA-133 was significantly downregulated in SSc patients in comparison to controls (Mean + SD of SSc = 0.61 ± 0.22, Mean ± SD of HC = 0.97 ± 0.007, p = 0.003). However, there was significant upregulation of the serum expressions of all other tested biomarkers in SSc patients in comparison to controls; H19 (Mean + SD of SSc = 10.37 ± 3.13, Mean ± SD of HC = 1.01 ± 0.01, p = 0.0001), PKM2 (Mean + SD of SSc = 28.0 ± 4.84, Mean ± SD of HC = 16.19 ± 1.32, p = 0.005) and TGF-ß (Mean + SD of SSc = 150.8 ± 6.36, Mean ± SD of HC = 23.83 ± 0.93, p = 0.0001). We also detected several correlations between serum levels of the investigated proteins in patients with SSc. Conclusion: Along with TGF-ß, our results show that miRNA-133, H19, and PKM2 seem to be potential contributors to SSc pathogenesis and could be promising biomarkers in the diagnosis of SSc patients. The lncRNA-H19 correlations with TGF- ß, miRNA-133, and PKM2 suggest a possible influential effect of this RNA molecule on the pathogenesis of SSc.

The role of LncRNA MALAT-1 and MiRNA-9 in Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder manifested by recurrent episodes of scaly, red, itchy skin patches that occur within apparently normal skin. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to detect the expression of serum and tissue (lesion and non-lesion) LncRNA MALAT-1 and MiRNA-9 that might be used as biomarkers for psoriasis. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 60 psoriasis patients and 40 controls, as well as 4 mm punch biopsy from lesional and non lesional skin of psoriatic patient and normal skin of healthy controls. Expression of LncRNA MALAT-1 and miRNNA-9 in serum and tissues was detected by real time qRT-PCR. RESULTS: a statistically significant increase in the expression of MALAT-1 in lesional and non-lesional skin and serum of psoriatic patients in comparison to controls were detected. Moreover, there was statistically significant increase in serum MiRNA-9 in patients in comparison to controls, while its tissue level was significantly lower in patients. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the dysregulation of LncRNA MALAT-1 and miRNA-9 in psoriasis. Elevated expression of MALAT-1 in lesional skin of psoriatic patients compared to non-lesional skin may possibly contribute to the development of psoriatic plaques.