Reassessment of microarray expression data of porokeratosis by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: Porokeratosis (PK) is a heterogeneous group of keratinization disorders that exhibit similarities with psoriasis at both the clinical and molecular levels. METHODS: The transcript levels of keratin (KRT) 6A, 16, 17, S100A7, A8, A9, p53 and three candidate genes (i.e. SART3, SSH1 and ARPC3) were reassessed in pairwise lesional and uninvolved skin from nine patients with PK by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTQ-PCR). RESULTS: The results of RTQ-PCR confirmed that KRT6A, 16, S100A7, A8 and A9 (p = 0.008) were mostly up-regulated in the lesional skin when compared with uninvolved skin. Different from the microarray data, there was no significant difference observed in KRT17 expression patterns between lesional and normal-appearing skin (p = 0.066). No statistical difference was observed in p53 and three candidate genes' expression patterns between lesional and uninvolved skin. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, 9 of the 10 gene expression measured by RTQ-PCR in PK were statistically comparable to microarray data. KRT6A was identified as specific biomarker for porokeratotic keratinocytes, as it was the most significantly up-regulated gene in the nine patient samples.

The susceptibility to vitiligo is associated with NF-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) gene polymorphisms: a study on Chinese Han population.

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Oxidative stress is considered to be the initial pathogenic event in the melanocyte destruction. NF-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor regulating the expression of detoxifying and antioxidant genes. To investigate the association of the Nrf2 gene promoter polymorphisms with vitiligo in Chinese Han population, the genotypes of -686A/G, -684G/A and -650C/A and the genotyping of variable number of tandem repeat were detected. The data were analysed by the chi-square test and the risk was evaluated by calculating OR and 95% CI. There was statistically significant difference in genotypic and allelic frequencies of -650C/A between the two groups (P < 0.05). A(-650) allele was significantly associated with the risk for vitiligo (OR = 1.724, chi(2) = 18.096). Polymorphism of the Nrf2 gene promoter at -650C/A was associated with the development of vitiligo and A(-650) allele may be one of the risk factors.

Dysregulation of miRNA146a versus IRAK1 induces IL-17 persistence in the psoriatic skin lesions.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder with dysregulation of miRNAs. The expression pattern of miR-146a and target gene IRAK1 in lesions and PBMCs of plaque psoriasis remains unclear. In our study, we found the expression of miR-146a was up-regulated both in lesions and PBMCs of psoriatic patients, and positively correlated with IL-17 expression, whereas the target gene IRAK1 expression was expressed differentially in lesions and peripheral blood. Inability of miR-146a inhibiting target gene IRAK1 may contribute to the persistent inflammation in lesions of psoriasis.

Childhood vitiligo in China: clinical profiles and immunological findings in 620 cases.

BACKGROUND: Childhood vitiligo is a common pediatric skin disorder. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is unclear, and immunological dysfunction may play an important role. OBJECTIVES: This prospective study aimed to profile childhood vitiligo and to discuss its correlation with immunological dysfunction. METHODS: All of the 620 enrolled patients were aged younger than 14 years, and were assessed with a standard questionnaire. The levels of immunoglobulins, complement, and T-lymphocyte subsets were measured in 270 of these 620 patients. RESULTS: Of the 620 children, 302 (48.71%) were boys and 318 (51.29%) were girls, with an average disease onset age of 7.57 years. The average duration was 13.45 months. 453 (73.06%) children had head and neck involvement and 160 (25.81%) children had segmental vitiligo. 84 (13.55%) children had a family history. There was a correlation between the disease and seasons. The onset or progression usually occurred in summer and spring. Halo nevus was seen in both segmental and non-segmental vitiligo. Precipitating factors such as stress appeared more commonly in segmental vitiligo. As to the immunological findings, in segmental vitiligo, the levels of C3 and C4 were lower in the active relative to the quiescent stage (p < 0.05); and in non-segmental vitiligo, the percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were lower in the active relative to the quiescent stage (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Childhood vitiligo has its own clinical features. The different types of vitiligo have different characteristics. There is immunological dysfunction in children with vitiligo. Dysfunction of humoral immunity may play a role in the progression of segmental vitiligo, while non-segmental vitiligo is more related to cellular immunity.

Cutaneous infectious granuloma caused by Phenylobacterium in an adult with myelodysplastic syndrome: a first case report.

Painful granulomatous lesions appeared on the face of a 36-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome. Skin biopsy revealed chronic inflammatory granuloma. Bacterial cultures of the lesions and blood indicated the same unknown Gram-negative rod bacterium. The 16S ribosomal RNA sequence of the unknown bacterium yielded Phenylobacterium. Thus, we diagnosed cutaneous infectious granuloma caused by Phenylobacterium and myelodysplastic syndrome/refractory cytopenia with multi-lineage dysplasia. After treatment with combined antibacterials that were selected based on the tests for drug sensitivity, the lesions disappeared with only scars remaining and without any signs of relapse after 1 year. This is the first case report of cutaneous infectious granuloma caused by Phenylobacterium.

Cutaneous malasseziasis: four case reports of atypical dermatitis and onychomycosis caused by Malassezia.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates four special cases associated with Malassezia. METHODS: The special clinical manifestations, mycologic examination, and treatment were reviewed intensively. RESULTS: An abundance of Malassezia hyphae were found in the scales of the three cases presenting with erythematous patches and in another case presenting with dystrophic nails. Malassezia globosa was identified and confirmed by culture. Antifungal agents were effective in the treatment of all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Malassezia is an opportunistic fungus that may induce dermatosis other than classical pityriasis versicolor. Hyphae from the lesions may be induced by a change in the microenvironment of the fungus caused by the local application of corticosteroids.