Differential diagnostic features between congenital haemangioma, KHE, and congenital fibrosarcoma: a single-centre experience.

Congenital haemangioma (CH) is a rare benign vascular tumour presenting at birth with excellent prognosis. Usually, CH regresses without treatment within the first few months of life. Kaposiform Haemangioendothelioma (KHE) is another type of vascular tumours that has been described as benign with locally aggressive potential. Although the diagnosis of vascular tumours is usually straightforward based on typical clinical presentation, yet some confusing similarities may exist with congenital sarcomas.Conclusion: Data of cases managed at the vascular anomaly clinic during the period 2015 through 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The study included three groups of patients: cases diagnosed as congenital haemangioma (9 cases), cases of Kaposiform Haemangioendothelioma who presented in the neonatal period (7 cases), as well as cases of congenital fibrosarcoma (4 cases) that were referred to the vascular anomaly clinic because of apparent similarity with vascular tumours. The hallmark of the study was to compare clinical and imaging features in the three groups to facilitate differentiation and remove diagnostic confusion when managing these rare cases in the future. What is Known: • Congenital haemangioma is a rare benign vascular tumour presenting at birth. • Kaposiform Haemangioendothelioma is another type of vascular tumours that has been described as benign with locally aggressive potential. What is New: • Confusing similarities may exist between vascular tumours and congenital sarcomas.

ALK1 expression in oral lichen planus: a possible relation to microvessel density.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the expression of activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) and investigate its possible relationship with microvessel density (MVD) in different forms of oral lichen planus (OLP) compared to controls' biopsies. METHODS: Biopsies from 20 reticular/papular OLP (R/PLP), 20 atrophic/erosive OLP (A/ELP) patients, and 20 healthy subjects were immunohistochemically analyzed and statistically compared and correlated for ALK1 expression and MVD as assessed by CD34 expression. RESULTS: All OLP specimens revealed the presence of positive cytoplasmic CD34 immunostaining in endothelial cells, with statistically high significant MVD in each of R/PLP (Median; M = 4.40) and A/ELP (M = 7.69) compared to controls (M = 1.16) (P < 0.001). Statistically significant MVD was found in A/ELP compared to R/PLP (P < 0.001). All control specimens revealed negative ALK1 immunostaining of the few inflammatory cells found, while 85% of A/ELP cases and 70% of R/PLP cases showed positively immunostained sections for ALK-1, with statistically significant higher ALK1 expression In A/ELP (M = 1.95) compared to R/PLP (M = 0.86) (P = 0.005). No significant correlation between CD34 and ALK1 was detected in R/PLP (r = 0.081), while a barely moderate positive correlation was found in A/ELP (r = 0.396). CONCLUSIONS: ALK1 expression and MVD are increased in OLP, particularly in A/ELP type.

Serum Th1/Th2 and macrophage lineage cytokines in leprosy; correlation with circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) T-regs cells.

Not only macrophages, T-helper (Th)1 and Th2, but also CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (T-regs) are involved in immune response to Mycobacterium leprae. We aimed to evaluate serum interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-12p70 (macrophage cytokines), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (Th1 cytokine), IL-4 (Th2 cytokine) and circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) T-regs, in untreated leprosy patients. Forty three patients and 40 controls were assessed for the mentioned cytokines using ELISA. Patients were assessed for circulating T-regs using flow cytometry. Patients were subgrouped into tuberculoid (TT), pure neural leprosy (PNL), borderline cases, lepromatous (LL), type 1 reactional leprosy (RL1) and erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Serum IL-12p70, IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly higher in patients versus controls (P < 0.05). Serum IL-4 was highest in LL and lowest in RL1 (P = 0.003). Serum IL-1ß levels was significantly higher in multibacillary versus paucibacillary patients (P = 0.006). Significantly higher T-regs levels was detected in TT, RL1 and PNL, while the lowest levels in ENL(P < 0.001), with significant differences versus controls (P < 0.05). FoxP3 expression% was significantly lower in PNL than other patients and controls (P < 0.05). T-regs/T-effs was lowest in ENL(P < 0.05). IFN-γ correlated positively with T-regs but negatively with IL-1ß (P = 0.041&0.046 respectively), which correlated positively with T-effs%( P = 0.05). IL-4 correlated positively with T-regs FoxP3 expression% (P = 0.009). We concluded that: Circulating T-regs were increased in TT, RL1 and PNL patients, known of relatively high cell-mediated immunity. This finding was supported by low FoxP3 expression (in PNL) and correlation between T-regs count and IFN-γ level. Overproduction of IL-4 in LL may infer liability to develop ENL, with disease progression and immune hyperactivation, marked by deficient T-regs and increased T-regs FoxP3 expression%. IL-1ß probably has a pro-inflammatory role in multibacillary patients as correlated with T-effs%.

A pilot trial using topical regular crystalline insulin vs. aqueous zinc solution for uncomplicated cutaneous wound healing: Impact on quality of life.

When wounds are treated with regular insulin, they are also being treated with zinc; used in the formula to crystallize insulin molecules. It is not clear if regular insulin-accelerated wound healing is due to insulin, the zinc it contains, or both. Thus, we aimed to compare topical regular crystalline insulin (containing zinc) vs. aqueous zinc chloride solution to controls, on healing of open uncomplicated cutaneous wounds. In this randomized controlled pilot study, 90 nondiabetic patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups depending on the twice daily applications received; group I: regular insulin; group II: aqueous zinc chloride solution, and group III: 0.9% saline (control). A questionnaire was used to determine the effect of wounds on the quality of life. Both topical regular crystalline insulin (containing zinc) and aqueous zinc chloride solution enhanced healing of uncomplicated cutaneous wounds of nondiabetic patients, than control (p < 0.001), and hence improved patients' quality of life. However, regular insulin showed better results than aqueous zinc solution (p = 0.015), probably due to synergistic effect between insulin and zinc of its formulation. Healing rate was significantly higher in acute than chronic wounds (p < 0.001), in those ≤40 years than those >40 (p = 0.004), and in upper body wounds than lower body (p = 0.015).

IL-18 gene polymorphisms in aphthous stomatitis vs. Behçet's disease in a cohort of Egyptian patients.

OBJECTIVE: A clinical investigation of the potential correlation of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms at -137 (G/C) and -607 (C/A) in the promoter region of the IL-18 gene, with the susceptibility to aphthous stomatitis and Behçet's disease. PATIENT AND METHODS: This study included 80 aphthous stomatitis patients and 80 patients with Behçet's disease. Eighty healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group. IL-18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms at -607 and -137 regions were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: The genotype and allele distributions of the two regions did not differ significantly between patients with aphthous stomatitis and controls. The genotype and allele distributions at -607 were significantly different between patients with Behçet's disease [CC (P = 0.044), C allele (P = 0.043), A allele (P = 0.043)], and controls. The frequency of the GG genotype at position -137 in patients with Behçet's disease was associated only with a higher rate of ocular manifestations (OR= 1.4, CI= 0.76-2.7, P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: IL-18 gene polymorphisms were not associated with any susceptibility to aphthous stomatitis, while a positive association was found with patients with Behçet's disease regarding -607 promoter site. Moreover, patients with Behçet's disease carrying the GG genotype at position -137 had a higher risk of developing ocular manifestations.

Sudden Hair "Felting" during Styling Procedure: The Puzzle is Solved.

Acute scalp hair "felting" is a rare acquired condition that presents with sudden severe twisting, entangling, and matting of scalp hair into a stiff tightly packed mass, in otherwise healthy individuals. In such conditions, the mechanism of hair matting is almost like the process of "felting" in wool and textile industry, where adjacent fibers are compacted together in a warm liquid medium. Herein, a case of acute hair "felting" during styling practice is discussed with the possible predisposing factors, prophylaxis, and treatment.

Circulating Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Basic Fibroblastic Growth Factor in Infantile Hemangioma Versus Vascular Malformations.

Few preliminary reports studied the utility of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for differentiation between infantile hemangiomas (IHs) and vascular malformations. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of serum VEGF and bFGF levels in differentiating IHs from vascular malformations and identifying the stage and clinical course of IHs. Serum levels of VEGF and bFGF were assessed in 60 infants and children with various cutaneous vascular anomalies defined in 3 groups: proliferating IHs (n = 25), involuting IHs (n = 23), and vascular malformations (n = 12), in comparison with their levels in 40 healthy matched control. Serum levels of VEGF and bFGF were significantly elevated in all groups as compared to control ( P < .001, respectively). Both proliferating and involuting IHs had comparable levels of both markers ( P > .05, respectively) that were significantly higher in comparison with vascular malformations ( P < .05, respectively). Significantly lower VEGF levels were found in IHs that had regressed spontaneously (n = 11) compared to those regressed by treatment (n = 37), ( P < .05); meanwhile, bFGF showed no significant difference between both groups ( P > .05). Using receiver operating characteristic curves, a combined use of VGEF and bFGF yielded a sensitivity of 85.42% and a specificity of 100% for differentiating IHs from vascular malformations. Serum VEGF and/or bFGF levels are increased in cutaneous vascular anomalies and can differentiate IHs from vascular malformations. None of these markers could help in identifying the stage of IHs. Low VEGF is associated with spontaneous regression of IHs.

Dermoscopic features of clinically inflammatory dermatoses and their correlation with histopathologic reaction patterns.

Dermoscopy can be used in diagnosis of some chronic inflammatory dermatoses. In this study, the single most recent, fully developed lesion in 74 patients with clinically inflammatory dermatoses was examined dermoscopically and correlated histopathologically with psoriasiform, lichenoid, or spongiotic reaction patterns. Vascular component (morphology and arrangement) was the most prominent feature in the studied patterns mostly in the shape of dots (45 specimens, 60.8%), globules (30 specimens, 40.5%), and lines (45 specimens, 60.8%). Psoriasiform pattern showed vascular dots (20 specimens, 76.92%), and/or red globules (15 specimen, 57.69%), regularly distributed (17 specimens, 65.38%), on intense red background (15 specimens, 57.69%), and diffuse (13 specimens, 50%) white scales (18 specimen, 69.23%), with probability of these features together 100%. Lichenoid pattern showed red lines (23 cases, 65.71%), on dull or light red background (14 cases, 40% for each), with discolored areas (15 cases, 42.86%), brown reticular pigmentation (21 cases, 60%), and white scales (13 cases, 37.14%). Spongiotic pattern was characterized by follicular component and diffuse or peripheral scale distribution, with probability of both features together 100%. The main histopathologic features of inflammatory dermatoses, which influenced their dermoscopic patterns, are depth and size of vessels, presence and shape of epidermal hyperplasia, presence of spongiosis, and degree of dermal inflammation and oedema. These features influenced vascular morphology and distribution, corneal component, and background color. Among the studied reaction patterns, psoriasiform pattern showed the most consistent correlation with dermoscopic features. Dermoscopic picture of lichenoid reaction was the most contradictory. Spongiotic reaction showed absent specific vascular component.

Circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) T-regulatory cells in patients with atopic dermatitis after narrowband-ultraviolet B phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed controversial results regarding CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) T-regulatory cells (Tregs) in atopic dermatitis (AD) and effect of therapy. METHODS: Circulating CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) Tregs were assessed by flow cytometry in 20 controls and 20 patients with AD at baseline and after narrowband ultraviolet B with assessment of disease severity. RESULTS: Patients showed higher pretreatment T-effector cells (Teffs) (%) and lower pretreatment Tregs FoxP3 expression% than controls (P = 0.003 and 0.01, respectively). Mild AD showed a lower Tregs/Teffs ratio compared to controls (P = 0.013), while moderate group showed higher Teffs%, and lower Tregs FoxP3 expression% and Tregs/Teffs compared to controls (P = 0.016, 0.007, and 0.009 respectively). The severe group had higher Tregs% and Teffs%, yet with a lower Tregs FoxP3 expression% compared to controls (P < 0.001, P = 0.043, P = 0.044, respectively). There was significant reduction of severity after narrowband ultraviolet B (P = 0.007), with overall significant elevation of Tregs FoxP3 expression% in patients (P = 0.004). All patients' post-treatment laboratory findings were statistically matched to each other and to controls whatever their previous severity or therapeutic response. The improvement of severity score correlated with the change in both Tregs% and Tregs/Teffs. CONCLUSIONS: Significant reduction in AD disease severity is correlated with the change in Tregs% and Tregs/Teffs.

Uremic pruritus pathogenesis, revisited.

INTRODUCTION: Uremia is the most important systemic cause of pruritus. Uremic pruritus (UP) was found to affect 50-90% of patients undergoing dialysis and about 25% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite its high prevalence, morbidity and the marked influence on quality of life, UP remains poorly characterized. REVIEW: Triggering factors for UP may include cutaneous xerosis, uremic toxins, systemic inflammation and associated common co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, endocrinopathies,viral hepatitis and somatic neuropathy. Moreover, high pre-dialysis levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), ß2-microglobulin, calcium and phosphate, as well as parathyroid hormone (PTH) were found to be related to UP. A new hypothesis of glycation, with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation in stratum corneum has been proposed as a possible underlying cause of UP. Common treatments used for UP include antihistamines, steroids, emollients, charcoal, erythropoietin and phototherapy (UVB). Other treatments with some reported efficacy are serotonin antagonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene receptor antagonists, κ-opioid agonists and nicotinamide. Many non-pharmacological treatments, including acupressure, are also used. In addition, improvement of dialysis modalities could relieve patients of UP. The future use of anti-glycation preparations for treatment of UP is supported by recent researches. CONCLUSION: Recent researches on the process of glycation as a possible cause of UP may open the way for treatment with anti-glycation preparations. Nevertheless, associated co-morbidities with possible role should be concurrently treated.

Assessment of serum level of interleukin-1b and interleukin-12 in leprosy: impact of previous Bacillus Calmitte Guerin vaccination.

Macrophages play an important role in attempt to eliminate mycobacteria, via production of cytokines, including interleukin-1, and interleukin-12. Bacillus Calmitte Guerin (BCG) vaccination, known to induce interleukin-1ß in tuberculosis, was originally aimed at tuberculosis control, but it showed efficacy against leprosy. Our aim was to estimate serum levels of interleukin-1ß and interleukin-12, in leprosy, and to assess the impact of previous BCG vaccination on their levels. Serum interleukin-1ß and interleukin-12 p70 were estimated in 43 leprotic patients and 43 controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were grouped according to presence or absence of reactions, as well as bacillary load. Serum interleukin-1ß was significantly higher in patients as compared to controls (p = 0.047), and was significantly different in patients' groups (p = 0.036); with significantly higher level in multibacillary patients, both non reactional and with erythema nodosum leprosum, compared with paucibacillary/non reactional patients (p = 0.012 and 0.049 respectively). A statistically significant higher interleukin-1ß was found in BCG vaccinated paucibacillary patients as compared to unvaccinated patients (p = 0.031). Significantly elevated interleukin-12 was present in patients as compared to controls (p < 0.001), with no statistically significant difference comparing patients' groups. BCG vaccination showed stimulatory effect on monocytes only in the immunocompetent paucibacillary leprosy patients, as evidenced by higher Interleukin-1ß in this group. Interleukin-1ß was shown to have a pro-inflammatory role in multibacillary patients with or without erythema nodosum leprosum. Targeting interleukin-1ß may be promising to control episodic refractory erythema nodosum leprosum. Interleukin-12 may be a general marker of active Mycobacterium leprae infection.

Dermoscopic features of facial pigmented skin lesions.

Four types of facial pigmented skin lesions (FPSLs) constitute diagnostic challenge to dermatologists; early seborrheic keratosis (SK), pigmented actinic keratosis (AK), lentigo maligna (LM), and solar lentigo (SL). A retrospective analysis of dermoscopic images of histopathologically diagnosed clinically-challenging 64 flat FPSLs was conducted to establish the dermoscopic findings corresponding to each of SK, pigmented AK, LM, and SL. Four main dermoscopic features were evaluated: sharp demarcation, pigment pattern, follicular/epidermal pattern, and vascular pattern. In SK, the most specific dermoscopic features are follicular/epidermal pattern (cerebriform pattern; 100% of lesions, milia-like cysts; 50%, and comedo-like openings; 37.50%), and sharp demarcation (54.17%). AK and LM showed a composite characteristic pattern named "strawberry pattern" in 41.18% and 25% of lesions respectively, characterized by a background erythema and red pseudo-network, associated with prominent follicular openings surrounded by a white halo. However, in LM "strawberry pattern" is widely covered by psewdonetwork (87.5%), homogenous structureless pigmentation (75%) and other vascular patterns. In SL, structureless homogenous pigmentation was recognized in all lesions (100%). From the above mentioned data, we developed an algorithm to guide in dermoscopic features of FPSLs.

STUDY OF THE ROLE OF SERUM FOLIC ACID IN ATOPIC DERMATITIS: A CORRELATION WITH SERUM IgE AND DISEASE SEVERITY.

BACKGROUND: Most atopic dermatitis (AD) patients have elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE). Impaired folic acid (FA) metabolism was found to reduce the intracellular methyl donor pool, associated with a higher prevalence of atopy. AIM: To assess serum IgE and FA in AD patients and to correlate their levels with the disease severity, and with each other. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with AD were assessed for serum FA and IgE, compared with 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Patients were classified into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe AD) based on clinical severity according to Nottingham index. In both patients and controls, serum IgE was measured using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and serum FA was measured using Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay technique. RESULTS: Serum FA levels were lower in AD patients compared with controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. FA levels did not show statistically significant difference among disease severity groups and did not correlate with serum IgE levels. On the other hand, serum IgE levels were significantly elevated in AD patients compared with controls, and among AD patients, its levels were significantly elevated in severe AD compared with mild and moderate disease. CONCLUSION: Serum IgE is useful in assessment of AD severity and activity. FA contribution to AD needs further investigations.

Multiple isolated cutaneous plexiform schwannomas.

Plexiform schwannoma is a rare neurogenic tumor, arising from skin and subcutaneous tissue. The presence of multiple schwannomas suggests a possible association with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). A 50-year old male patient presented with multiple papulo-nodular cutaneous lesions on both arms and forearms. Histopathological examination revealed a dermal multinodular pattern of well-circumscribed masses of closely packed cells, with peripheral myxoid tissue, well-encapsulated in a thin collagenous capsule. S-100 immunohistochemical staining was diffusely and strongly positive. Neuron-specific enolase was positive, confirming a neural tissue tumor. An audiogram and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of cerebro-pontine angle showed no detected abnormality, excluding acoustic neuroma. Thus, we present a case of multiple bilateral isolated cutaneous plexiform schwannomas, not associated with NF2. Multiple plexiform schwannomas is a very rare entity, distinct from neurofibromatosis (NF), and being confined to the dermis is even more rarely reported.

Assessment of osteoporosis in psoriasis with and without arthritis: correlation with disease severity.

BACKGROUND: The most frequent extracutaneous association with psoriasis is arthritis. Because proinflammatory cytokines are increased in psoriasis, patients with this disease may be more prone to osteoporosis than the healthy individuals. METHODS: We evaluated 50 patients with psoriasis, with or without psoriatic arthritis (PsA), for the presence and degree of osteoporosis by performing dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and obtaining serum osteoprotegrin (OPG) levels. In addition, we correlated these results with the extent of skin and joint disease. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was determined in all 50 patients with psoriasis, and total joint score (TJS) was recorded in the 16 patients who also had PsA. Results of DEXA and serum OPG were also obtained for 20 healthy individuals who served as controls. RESULTS: Osteoprotegrin level was significantly increased in psoriasis patients (with or without PsA) vs. controls. However, DEXA revealed that PsA patients had a higher degree of osteoporosis in the femur neck and wrist. In PsA patients, TJS correlated positively with both disease duration and PASI but correlated negatively with Z score of the femur. CONCLUSION: Psoriasis patients with or without arthritis may suffer from osteoporosis as evidenced by significantly increased serum OPG. Prolonged and extensive cutaneous disease is an important risk factor for the development and severity of PsA. Patients with a greater number of affected joints are at higher risk of osteoporosis.

Serum Interleukin-4 and Total Immunoglobulin E in Nonatopic Alopecia Areata Patients and HLA-DRB1 Typing.

Background. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a Th(2) cytokine, can stimulate immunoglobulin E (IgE) transcription. No previous studies evaluated the genetic mechanisms in nonatopic AA patients with elevated serum IgE. Objective. To compare serum IL-4 and total IgE levels between Egyptian nonatopic AA patients and healthy subjects and to investigate a possible relation to HLA-DRB1 alleles. Results. Serum IL-4 and total IgE were measured by ELISA in 40 controls and 54 nonatopic AA patients. Patients' HLA-DRB1 typing by sequence specific oligonucleotide probe technique was compared to normal Egyptian population. We found significantly elevated serum IL-4 and total IgE in AA patients (particularly alopecia universalis, AU, and chronic patients) (P < .01). HLA-DRB1*11 is a general susceptibility/chronicity allele. DRB1*13 is a protective allele. DRB1*01 and DRB1*07 are linked to chronicity. Localized AA showed decreased DRB1*03 and DRB1*07. Extensive forms showed increased DRB1*08 and decreased DRB1*04. Elevated IL4 and IgE were observed in patients with DRB1*07 and DRB1*11 not DRB1*04. Conclusion. Serum IL-4 and IgE are elevated in nonatopic AA patients, particularly AU and chronic disease. Relevant susceptibility, chronicity, and severity HLADRB1 alleles may have a role in determining type, magnitude, and duration of immune response in AA favouring increased IL4 and IgE.

Cutaneous disorders in uremic patients on hemodialysis: an Egyptian case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: We studied the prevalence of mucocutaneous disorders in uremic adults and children on hemodialysis (HD) vs. controls, in Egypt. METHODS: A total of 206 Egyptians with uremia (163 adults and 43 children) undergoing HD, and 199 healthy controls (161 adults and 38 children), were examined for mucocutaneous abnormalities. RESULTS: Specific cutaneous diseases associated with renal insufficiency were found in five adults, including acquired perforating dermatosis and pseudo-porphyria. Non-specific abnormalities included xerosis (54%), pallor (42.2%), nail changes (34.9%), hair changes (34%), pruritus (32%), hyper-pigmentation (22.2%), coated tongue (14.1%), ecchymosis (1.5%), and gingival hypertrophy (1.5%). Disorders found significantly more often in uremics than controls included pallor, nail changes, hair changes, pruritus, hyperpigmentation and coated tongue in adults (P < 0.05), and nail changes, hair changes, and hyper-pigmentation in children (P < 0.05). The prevalence of each mucocutaneous abnormality was similar in uremic adults and children except for pallor [more common in adults (P = 0.001)], and hyper-pigmentation [more common in children (P = 0.003)]. A greater number of hepatitis C virus-positive than -negative adult uremics had hyper-pigmentation (P < 0.05), and more diabetic uremics had pruritus than did non-diabetics (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mucocutaneous disorders occur in adults and children with uremia, some of which are specific associations with the underlying renal disease. Occurrence of some of the non-specific abnormalities, such as xerosis, ecchymosis, and gingival hypertrophy, may be coincidental or associated with factors other than renal insufficiency.

Study of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression in normal, aged, and photo-aged skin.

BACKGROUND: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme capable of extending chromosome ends with telomeric DNA sequences. It protects the germline and stem cells from senescence by preventing telomere attrition. Cutaneous aging includes intrinsic aging, and photo-aging. Telomere-associated cellular senescence contributes to certain age-related cutaneous disorders, including increased cancer incidence. Premature skin aging in xeroderma pigmentosa (XP) is expected to show increased telomere attrition. We aimed to study human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression in normal, aged and photo-aged skin and to investigate its possible role in the pathogenesis of aging and photo-aging. METHODS: hTERT expression using immunohistochemistry was studied in 75 subjects comprising four groups: group I, 10 subjects with aged skin; group II, 20 subjects with photo-aging; group III, Five patients with XP; and group IV, 40 subjects comprising the control groups. RESULTS: We found positive hTERT in normal skin and in the basal and sometimes in supra-basal layers. We reported positive hTERT expression in dermal fibroblasts, histiocytes, and skin appendages (other than hair follicles) in some cases from all the studied groups. Photo-aged and prematurely photo-aged skin showed greater hTERT expression than young and aged skin. CONCLUSION: Telomeres rather than telomerase are involved in cellular senescence. Yet, telomerase is intimately related to photo-aging in which lifetime cumulative sun exposure is an important factor. However, genetic damage in XP is the decisive factor and not merely ultraviolet exposure.

Circulating CD4+ CD25 high FoxP3+ T cells vary in different clinical forms of leprosy.

BACKGROUND: CD4(+) CD25(high) FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (T-regs) were reported to increase in chronic infections. We aimed at studying their frequency in leprosy to investigate their role during Mycobacterium leprae infection. METHODS: Using flow cytometry, the frequency and FoxP3 expression of circulating T-regs was assessed in 38 leprosy patients and 38 healthy controls. Patients were divided into; group I tuberculoid (TT), group II borderline cases [borderline tuberculoid (BT), borderline (BB), and borderline lepromatous (BL)], group III lepromatous (LL), and group IV erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). RESULTS: Mean T-regs% and FoxP3 expression were significantly elevated in patients (particularly TT) compared to controls (3.8 ± 2.5% vs. 2.5 ± 0.8% and 78.8 ± 56.2% vs. 55.8 ± 15.7%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Comparing the four disease groups, T-regs% was significantly different (median 5.3% in group I, 3.4% in group II, 2.8% in group III, and 1.2% in group IV; P = 0.005). FoxP3% on T-regs was not significantly different between them [median 71.5% in TT, 62.3% in borderline categories, 67.75% in LL, and 85.75% in ENL; P = 0.149). Notably FoxP3 expression was significantly higher in ENL than controls (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: The frequency and suppressive marker of circulating T-regs are elevated in TT patients. Patients with LL and ENL express significantly lower frequency of T-regs and higher FoxP3 expression (in ENL), consistent with disease progression and immune hyper-activation in these disease categories. Thus, rather than being detrimental to immunity, intact T-regs activity may be beneficial to leprosy patients.