Analysis of IL-10 and IL-35 in dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor-related bullous pemphigoid.

The association between immunoregulatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-10 or IL-35, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i)-related bullous pemphigoid (BP) has not been evaluated. Serum IL-10 and IL-35 levels were measured in 39 patients with BP (24 males and 15 females; 6 DPP4i-related and 33 DPP4i-unrelated BP patients) and 10 healthy controls. The number of CD26+ cells in the dermis around bulla on sections was counted immunohistochemically for 12 patients (six patients with DPP4i-related BP and six randomly sampled patients with DPP4i-unrelated BP). Patients with DPP4i-related BP had lower levels of serum eosinophils (DPP4i-related vs. DPP4i-unrelated BP: 476.1 ± 234.0 vs. 911.3 ± 948.8/µL; p = 0.537) and a higher rate of infiltrating CD26+ cells (32.9 ± 7.1% vs. 15.7 ± 4.4%; p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in serum IL-10 (6.77 ± 0.24 vs. 6.84 ± 0.20 pg/mL), serum IL-35 (2.63 ± 0.17 vs. 2.63 ± 0.21 pg/mL), serum anti-BP180NC16a antibodies (67.31 ± 37.4 vs. 76.18 ± 54.59 U/mL) and Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index before treatment in this study. Serum IL-10 and IL-35 levels do not increase in patients with BP and may not be a candidate for a therapeutic target for BP. An increase in CD26+ cells might be associated with DPP4i-related BP.

Evaluation of prognostic prediction ability of the novel Japanese risk factor scoring system in a Japanese cohort of resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Japanese patients with very high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs), based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, have been reported to display a higher cumulative incidence of relapse and disease-specific death (DSD) than those with high-risk cSCC. Therefore, prognosis prediction is crucial for Japanese patients with very high-risk cSCCs. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic prediction ability of our novel Japanese Risk Factor Scoring Systems (JARF scoring) in a Japanese cohort of cSSC patients. Data of 424 Japanese patients with resectable very high-risk cSCCs were analysed. We compared the prognostic ability of the following three staging systems: Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) tumour staging, number of NCCN very high-risk factors, and JARF scoring, including recurrent tumour, high-risk histological features, deep tumour invasion and lymphatic or vascular involvement as risk factors. The prognostic ability of these staging systems was evaluated according to the cumulative incidence of local recurrence (LR), regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM), DSD, and overall survival (OS). When BWH staging was used, high T stage led to significantly poor outcomes only in the cumulative incidence of RLNM (p = 0.01). The presence of very high-risk NCCN factors led to significantly poor outcomes in terms of RLNM (p = 0.03) and OS (p = 0.02). Meanwhile, a high number of risk factors in the JARF scoring system clearly led to poor outcomes in terms of LR (p = 0.01), RLNM (p < 0.01), DSD (p = 0.03), and OS (p < 0.01). The JARF scoring system may accurately predict the risk of recurrence and death in very high-risk cSCC patients in Japan.

Single-cell mapping reveals new markers and functions of lymphatic endothelial cells in lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes (LNs) are highly organized secondary lymphoid organs that mediate adaptive immune responses to antigens delivered via afferent lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) line intranodal lymphatic sinuses and organize lymph and antigen distribution. LECs also directly regulate T cells, mediating peripheral tolerance to self-antigens, and play a major role in many diseases, including cancer metastasis. However, little is known about the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of LN LECs. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we comprehensively defined the transcriptome of LECs in murine skin-draining LNs and identified new markers and functions of distinct LEC subpopulations. We found that LECs residing in the subcapsular sinus (SCS) have an unanticipated function in scavenging of modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and also identified a specific cortical LEC subtype implicated in rapid lymphocyte egress from LNs. Our data provide new, to our knowledge, insights into the diversity of LECs in murine LNs and a rich resource for future studies into the regulation of immune responses by LN LECs.

Exploratory study on quantitative assessment of skin hardness in patients with systemic sclerosis using SOFTGRAM.

OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of quantitative and objective methods for measuring skin hardness. This study aimed to verify whether SOFTGRAM, a device that can measure elastic modulus using the Hertz elastic contact theory, could be used to evaluate skin hardness in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Skin score according to the modified Rodnan total skin thickness score and elastic modulus of the skin using SOFTGRAM were measured for 20 patients with SSc and 20 healthy controls on 8 parts of the body, both of the cheeks, forearms, fingers, and hands. Five observers shared to measure skin score 320 times (40 participants × 8 parts). Elastic modulus was measured 1600 times (40 participants × 8 parts × 5 times each). As an additional examination to compare differences between observers, the skin score of another healthy control was measured 40 times (5 observers × 8 parts). Elastic modulus was measured 200 times (5 observers × 8 parts × 5 times each). RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between elastic modulus and skin score (correlation coefficient=0.67, p<0.001) and a significant difference in elastic modulus (8 parts: healthy controls vs. limited cutaneous SSc vs. diffuse cutaneous SSc: 22.6±15.7 vs. 32.0±27.7 vs. 44.8±39.8, p<0.001). Intraobserver reliabilities were sufficient in 6 out of 7 observers; however, interobserver was less satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the practicality of SOFTGRAM as an accurate measurement method of skin hardness but also revealed points to be improved. More studies are needed to find an accurate measurement method of skin hardness.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms, c.415C > T (Arg139Cys) and c.416G > A (Arg139His), in the NUDT15 Gene Are Associated with Thiopurine-Induced Leukopenia.

While nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X-type motif 15 (NUDT15) gene polymorphism Arg139Cys (rs116855232) is known to be a risk factor for thiopurine-induced severe leukopenia, association with the NUDT15 gene polymorphism Arg139His (rs147390019) has not yet been clarified. In addition, the accuracy of TaqMan PCR to assess these two polymorphisms has not been investigated. In this study, we evaluated TaqMan PCR for detection of the NUDT15 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and examined the clinical impact of Arg139His on thiopurine-induced leukopenia. First, we demonstrated that a TaqMan PCR assay successfully detected the Arg139His polymorphism of NUDT15 in clinical samples. Next, the NUDT15 gene polymorphisms (Arg139Cys and Arg139His) were separately analyzed by TaqMan Real-Time PCR in 189 patients from August 2018 to July 2019. The incidences of leukopenia within 2 years were 16.2, 57.9, and 100% for arginine (Arg)/Arg, Arg/cysteine (Cys), and Arg/histidine (His), respectively. The leukopenia was significantly increased in Arg/Cys and Arg/His compared with Arg/Arg. This retrospective clinical study indicated that, in addition to Arg139Cys, Arg139His may be clinically associated with a high risk of leukopenia. Pharmacogenomics will help in selecting drugs and determining the individualized dosage of thiopurine drugs.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis developing at the site of COVID-19 vaccination.

We present a rare case of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis due to mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19. Histology of the biopsy specimen was very interesting.

Knapperer Resektionsrand bei Plattenepithelkarzinomen mit hohem oder sehr hohem Risiko: eine retrospektive multizentrische Studie mit 1000 Patienten.

HINTERGRUND UND ZIELE: Bei kutanen Plattenepithelkarzinomen (PEK) ist die Einhaltung der in Leitlinien empfohlenen festen Resektionsränder oft schwierig und knappere Ränder sind wünschenswert. Ziel dieser Studie war die Bewertung des Auftretens von Rezidiven und krankheitsspezifischen Todesfällen bei knapperen Resektionsrändern für PEK mit hohem oder sehr hohem Risiko. PATIENTEN/METHODEN: PEK-Patienten mit hohem oder sehr hohem Risiko, bei denen eine Tumorexzision durchgeführt wurde, wurden retrospektiv untersucht. Die Patienten wurden in eine Gruppe mit Standardrand gemäß Leitlinienempfehlung (standard margin group, SMG) und eine Gruppe mit knapperen Rändern (narrower-margin group, NMG) eingeteilt. Gemeinsame primäre Endpunkte waren lokales Rezidiv, PEK-Rezidiv und PEK-bedingter Tod. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines PEK-bedingten Tods und konkurrierender Mortalitätsrisiken wurde mittels kumulativer Inzidenzfunktion (CIF) beschrieben. Unterschiede bei der CIF zwischen den Gruppen wurden mit dem Test nach Gray verglichen. ERGEBNISSE: Insgesamt wurden 1.000 Patienten mit PEK (hohes Risiko, 570; sehr hohes Risiko, 430) eingeschlossen. In der Kohorte mit hohem Risiko gab es keine signifikanten Unterschiede bei der unvollständigen Exzisionsrate (IER) zwischen SMG und NMG (2,6 % vs. 3,0 %, P > 0,99). In der Kohorte mit sehr hohem Risiko war die IER in der SMG jedoch signifikant geringer als in der NMG (8.9 % vs. 16.2 %, P = 0,03). Keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen SMG und NMG wurden für Lokalrezidiv (hohes Risiko, P = 0.56; sehr hohes Risiko, P = 0,70), PEK-Rezidiv (hohes Risiko, P = 0,30; sehr hohes Risiko, P = 0,47) und PEK-bedingtem Tod (hohes Risiko, P = 0,23; sehr hohes Risiko, P = 0,83) beobachtet. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die Größe des Resektionsrands hat einen begrenzten Einfluss auf Randkontrolle, Rezidive und krankheitsspezifischen Tod bei PEK mit hohem Risiko.

Narrower clinical margin in high or very high-risk squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective, multicenter study of 1,000 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), adherence to guideline-recommended fixed surgical margins is often difficult, and narrower margins are preferable. This study aimed to evaluate relapse and disease-specific death with narrower margins for high or very high-risk cSCC. PATIENTS/METHODS: We retrospectively investigated high or very high-risk cSCC patients who underwent tumor excision. Patients were divided into guideline-recommended standard margin group (SMG) and narrower-margin group (NMG). Co-primary outcomes were local relapse, SCC relapse, and SCC death. Cumulative incidence function (CIF) was used to describe SCC death probability and competing risk mortality. Gray's test was used to compare differences in CIF between the groups. RESULTS: In total, 1,000 patients with cSCC (high-risk, 570; very high-risk, 430) were included. In the high-risk cohort, there were no significant differences in incomplete excision rate (IER) between SMG and NMG (2.6 % vs. 3.0 %, P > 0.99). However, in the very high-risk cohort, IER in SMG was significantly lower than in NMG (8.9 % vs. 16.2 %, P = 0.03). No significant differences were observed between SMG and NMG for local relapse (high-risk, P = 0.56; very high-risk, P = 0.70), SCC relapse (high-risk, P = 0.30; very high-risk, P = 0.47), and SCC death (high-risk, P = 0.23; very high-risk, P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical margin size has limited impact on margin control, relapse, and disease-specific death in high-risk cSCC.

Mycobacterium shigaense sp. nov., a slow-growing, scotochromogenic species, is a member of the Mycobacterium simiae complex.

Among non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), the Mycobacterium simiae complex is one of the largest groups, consisting of 18 species of slow-growing mycobacteria. In 2009, a case of NTM-associated infectious skin disease was reported in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The patient presented with scattered nodules on the chest, back and extremities, and an M. simiae-like organism was isolated from skin biopsy specimens obtained from one of these lesions. Based on several assessments, including multiple-gene analyses, biochemical characterization and drug susceptibility testing, we concluded that this isolate represented a novel species of NTM, and proposed the name 'Mycobacterium shigaense'. Since 2009, five more cases of NTM-associated infectious disease in which there was a suspected involvement of 'M. shigaense' have been reported. Interestingly, four of these six cases occurred in Shiga Prefecture. Here we performed multiple-gene phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characterization tests, drug susceptibility tests, and profiling of proteins, fatty acids and mycolic acids of eight clinical isolates from the six suspected 'M. shigaense' cases. The results confirmed that all of the clinical isolates were 'M. shigaense', a slow-growing, scotochromogenic species. Here M. shigaense is validly proposed as a new member of the M. simiae complex, with the type strain being UN-152T (=JCM 32072T=DSM 46748T).

Two cases of annular erythema without bullous lesions by autoimmune blistering diseases.

Although annular erythema is usually observed as one of the cutaneous manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome or subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, autoimmune blistering diseases also present with annular erythema. However, bullous lesions are not always found, and there is a rare type without bullous lesions. We present two cases of autoimmune blistering diseases showing annular erythema without bullous lesions. It is important to perform direct or indirect immunofluorescence examination when we encounter multiple annular erythema.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis comprises M2 macrophages in superficial dermal lymphatics with or without smooth muscles.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis represents a rare reactive disorder, which is characterized by the accumulation of macrophages within lymphatic vessels and observed predominantly in upper extremities. The infiltration and preferential M2 differentiation of macrophage are observed in chronic lymphedema, and lymphedema is considered a causative factor of intralymphatic histiocytosis. However, what causes accumulation of histiocytes in the lymphatic vessels remains unclear, and investigation regarding the characteristics of the macrophages has not been evaluated. We present a case of intralymphatic histiocytosis, in which immunohistochemical staining for both macrophages and lymphatic vessels was performed to evaluate the nature of macrophages within lymphatic vessels and to determine the causative factor. Aggregated macrophages were shown to be M2 macrophages positive for CD68, CD163 and CD206 but negative for inducible nitric oxide synthase. Thick lymphatic vessels positive for D2-40 and α-SMA in the superficial dermis were observed. We speculate that chronic lymphedema leads to hypertrophy of lymphatic vessels with smooth muscle in the superficial dermis, which may be a kind of malformation, and these lymphatic vessels produce some chemokines that induce intralymphatic aggregation of macrophages.

Anti-MDA-5 antibody-positive bullous dermatomyositis with palmar papules complicating rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease.

We present the first case of dermatomyositis showing both vesicle formation and palmar papules. The association of bullous formation and internal malignancy, and palmar papules and interstitial lung disease (ILD) is well known in dermatomyositis, respectively. This patient presented with vesicles; however, the immunoprecipitation assays detected anti-MDA-5 antibody and the patient complicated rapidly progressive ILD, but no malignancy. We propose that palmar papules might be regarded as more critical than blister formation.

A case of Schnitzler syndrome with unusual immunoglobulin A gammopathy exacerbated by COVID-19 infection.

Schnitzler syndrome (SchS) is a rare autoinflammatory disease characterized by chronic urticarial rash and monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) or IgG gammopathy. Viruses, including COVID-19, activate the innate immune system, therefore SchS, in which the innate immune system is improperly activated, is hypothesized to be exacerbated by viral infection. However, there were no reported SchS cases exacerbated by any viral infection. Here, we report a SchS case with an unusual IgA gammopathy manifested and exacerbated by COVID-19 infection. This report advocates the need for recognizing unusual cases of SchS with monoclonal IgA, and following up on paraprotein like IgA even when it is initially undetectable in cases with SchS symptoms. We also hypothesize that existing autoinflammatory diseases may be exacerbated by COVID-19 infection in the case of a combination of these diseases.

Buruli ulcer: An epidemiological update from Japan.

Japan is one of the rare non-tropical countries with documented cases of Buruli ulcer (BU). Mycobacterium ulcerans subsp. shinshuense has been identified as the causative agent. The first report of BU in Japan dates back to 1982, with sporadic reports thereafter. Recently, the number of cases has been on the increase, and 50 cases (57.7%) are from the past decade alone, out of a total of 87 cases reported to date. Japan's well-developed healthcare facilities play a crucial role in enabling detailed investigations and providing appropriate treatment for patients, contributing to a favorable prognosis. However, the rarity of the disease results in lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, leading to frequent delays in diagnosis. This article aims to offer an updated overview of BU cases in Japan and to raise awareness of BU among dermatologists and other healthcare professionals in a non-endemic setting.

Necrosis of Pedunculated Lipofibroma by Nab-Paclitaxel.

We present a rare phenomenon of a soft tumor hanging on the woman's left upper arm that underwent necrosis from the distal aspect during chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The benign tumor, pedunculated lipofibroma, originally had normal color for 10 years and then became necrotic when she was treated with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. Necrosis stopped in conjunction with chemotherapy cessation. Dermatologists must remember that nab-paclitaxel could develop necrosis of a skin tumor.