UTX deficiency in neural stem/progenitor cells results in impaired neural development, fetal ventriculomegaly, and postnatal death.

Recent studies have demonstrated that epigenetic modifications are deeply involved in neurogenesis; however, the precise mechanisms remain largely unknown. To determine the role of UTX (also known as KDM6A), a demethylase of histone H3K27, in neural development, we generated Utx-deficient mice in neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Since Utx is an X chromosome-specific gene, the genotypes are sex-dependent; female mice lose both Utx alleles (UtxΔ/Δ ), and male mice lose one Utx allele yet retain one Uty allele, the counterpart of Utx on the Y chromosome (UtxΔ/Uty ). We found that UtxΔ/Δ mice exhibited fetal ventriculomegaly and died soon after birth. Immunofluorescence staining and EdU labeling revealed a significant increase in NSPCs and a significant decrease in intermediate-progenitor and differentiated neural cells. Molecular analyses revealed the downregulation of pathways related to DNA replication and increased H3K27me3 levels around the transcription start sites in UtxΔ/Δ NSPCs. These results indicate that UTX globally regulates the expression of genes required for proper neural development in NSPCs, and UTX deficiency leads to impaired cell cycle exit, reduced differentiation, and neonatal death. Interestingly, although UtxΔ/Uty mice survived the postnatal period, most died of hydrocephalus, a clinical feature of Kabuki syndrome, a congenital anomaly involving UTX mutations. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of histone modifiers in neural development and suggest that UtxΔ/Uty mice are a potential disease model for Kabuki syndrome.

Brain regionalization by Polycomb-group proteins and chromatin accessibility.

During brain development, neural precursor cells (NPCs) in different brain regions produce different types of neurons, and each of these regions plays a different role in the adult brain. Therefore, precise regionalization is essential in the early stages of brain development, and irregular regionalization has been proposed as the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. The mechanisms underlying brain regionalization have been well studied in terms of morphogen-induced expression of critical transcription factors for regionalization. NPC potential in different brain regions is defined by chromatin structures that regulate the plasticity of gene expression. Herein, we present recent findings on the importance of chromatin structure in brain regionalization, particularly with respect to its regulation by Polycomb-group proteins and chromatin accessibility.

The Polycomb group protein Ring1 regulates dorsoventral patterning of the mouse telencephalon.

Dorsal-ventral patterning of the mammalian telencephalon is fundamental to the formation of distinct functional regions including the neocortex and ganglionic eminence. While Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Wnt, and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling are known to determine regional identity along the dorsoventral axis, how the region-specific expression of these morphogens is established remains unclear. Here we show that the Polycomb group (PcG) protein Ring1 contributes to the ventralization of the mouse telencephalon. Deletion of Ring1b or both Ring1a and Ring1b in neuroepithelial cells induces ectopic expression of dorsal genes, including those for BMP and Wnt ligands, as well as attenuated expression of the gene for Shh, a key morphogen for ventralization, in the ventral telencephalon. We observe PcG protein-mediated trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine-27 and binding of Ring1B at BMP and Wnt ligand genes specifically in the ventral region. Furthermore, forced activation of BMP or Wnt signaling represses Shh expression. Our results thus indicate that PcG proteins suppress BMP and Wnt signaling in a region-specific manner and thereby allow proper Shh expression and development of the ventral telencephalon.

Low level of hemoglobin A1c and the increased incidence of herpes zoster: longitudinal study.

Little is known about the association between glycemic status and herpes zoster. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether glycemic status, including both high and low hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), is associated with subsequent herpes zoster. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study in a large teaching hospital in Tokyo, Japan, from 2005 to 2016. We included all participants who underwent voluntary health check-ups at the hospital. Our primary outcome was the incidence of herpes zoster in groups of individuals stratified by HbA1c levels, which were compared using the generalized estimating equation (GEE), adjusting for participants' demographic characteristics, social history, body mass index, and comorbidities. A total of 81,466 participants were included in this study. The mean age (standard deviation) was 46.5 (12.1), and 39,643 (48.7%) participants were male. Among them, 1751 (2.1%) were diagnosed with diabetes prior to their first visits. After a median follow-up of 1784 [interquartile range (IQR), 749-3150] days, 673 (0.8%) participants developed herpes zoster. The incidence of herpes zoster was 1.45 per 1000 person-years. Compared with the reference group (HbA1c of 5.0-6.4%), the lowest HbA1c group (HbA1c of < 5.0%) had a significantly higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) (OR 1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-2.48) of developing herpes zoster. The group with an HbA1c of ≥ 9.5% had a higher but nonsignificant OR than the reference group (OR 2.15; 95% CI, 0.67-6.94). Our longitudinal study demonstrated that individuals in the lowest (< 5.0%) HbA1c group had a significantly higher risk of developing herpes zoster than the reference group (HbA1c of 5.0-6.4%) after adjusting for covariates.

Therapeutic depletion of myeloid lineage leukocytes by adsorptive apheresis for psoriatic arthritis: Efficacy of a non-drug intervention for patients refractory to pharmacologics.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory arthropathy associated with psoriasis, is an intractable immune disorder and refractory to pharmacological intervention. We assessed efficacy of selective depletion of myeloid lineage leukocytes in patients with PsA in a multicenter setting. A total of 20 patients with moderate to severe PsA refractory to conventional and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were included. Eligible patients had 3 points or more in the classification criteria for PsA. Each patient received five sessions, once a week, of adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) with the Adacolumn® . The primary efficacy outcome was 20% or more decrease in the American College of Rheumatology score 20 (ACR20). Partial responders could receive an additional five GMA sessions. Of 20 patients, two did not complete the study, nine responded to five GMA sessions and nine received 10 sessions. At the first evaluation 2 weeks after the last GMA session, 13 of the 20 (65.0%) patients achieved ACR20. ACR20 was maintained in seven of 10 (70%) and five of 10 (50%) patients at the follow-up evaluation points 8 and 20 weeks after the last GMA session, respectively. GMA was well tolerated without any safety concern. This study demonstrates that GMA with the Adacolumn was effective with good safety profile in patients with PsA refractory to pharmacologicals. The results indicate a major role for myeloid leukocytes in the immunopathogenesis of PsA. A large controlled study is warranted to fully evaluate the efficacy of Adacolumn GMA in patients with PsA.

Nail findings in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A cross-sectional study with special reference to transverse grooves.

BACKGROUND: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) commonly present with nail manifestations; however, little is known about these manifestations. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether nail findings can be used to discriminate between PsA and psoriasis without arthritis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 118 patients with PsA and 974 patients with psoriasis without arthritis who visited St. Luke's International Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) between July 2003 and February 2015. Patients with PsA were classified according to the Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis criteria. Skin lesion severity was assessed by using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and 9 types of nail findings were investigated. RESULTS: The incidence of nail involvement in patients with PsA was 67.6%. Female sex, presence of transverse grooves, onycholysis, and splinter hemorrhages were significantly related to PsA, with transverse grooves demonstrating the strongest association (odds ratio, 5.01; 95% confidence interval, 2.31-10.8; P < .01). Furthermore, the presence of transverse grooves was strongly related to both distal interphalangeal arthritis and enthesitis. LIMITATIONS: The PsA population was relatively small. CONCLUSIONS: Nail findings enabled us to distinguish patients with PsA from those without arthritis. The presence of transverse grooves is significantly associated with PsA and may be associated with distal interphalangeal arthritis and enthesitis.

Overlap of IgG4-related Disease and Multicentric Castleman's Disease in a Patient with Skin Lesions.

A 59-year-old man presented with multiple dark red erythemas with induration, anemia, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. A skin biopsy revealed the infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells and he was initially diagnosed with multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). Glucocorticoid treatment was only partially effective. Four years later, the patient's bilateral lacrimal glands gradually became enlarged and a biopsy revealed dense lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration with an IgG4+/IgG+ plasma cell ratio of 70%. The patient was diagnosed with IgG4-related disease (RD). Rituximab only had a slight effect. This case demonstrates that overlapping features of IgG4-RD and MCD may present in a single patient, which suggests a shared pathogenesis.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Psoriatic Arthritis in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Japanese patients with psoriasis. METHODS: A multicenter, noninterventional, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at 3 tertiary care centers in Japan. PsA was diagnosed by rheumatologists based on clinical findings. Prevalence of PsA, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment patterns were examined. RESULTS: PsA was identified in 431 of 3021 patients with psoriasis, with a mean prevalence of 14.3% (range, 8.8-20.4%). No large differences between these results and previous reports from Western countries were observed in arthritis distribution, skin disease type, or treatment selection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PsA in patients with psoriasis in Japan approaches 20% in some areas, similar to that observed in Western countries, and is higher than previously reported in Asia. Clinical features including age, sex, age at onset, and manifestation patterns were also similar to those reported in the West.

Merkel cell carcinoma showing regression after biopsy: Evaluation of programmed cell death 1-positive cells.

We present a cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) with Merkel cell polyomavirus that showed complete regression after biopsy. The exact mechanism of regression in MCC has remained unclear. It has been reported that apoptosis caused by T-cell immunity was implicated in the regression, and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), an inhibitory receptor, was expressed in approximately half of tumor-infiltrating T cells in MCC. However, the contribution of PD-1-positive cells for the regression of MCC has not been evaluated. We examined the rate of PD-1-positive cells among the peritumoral mononuclear cells, which showed that the percentage of PD-1-positive cells in the case was significantly lower compared with in MCC without regression. We propose that PD-1-positive cells suppress tumor immunity for MCC, and that reduction of PD-1-positive cells may be associated with tumor regression.

Human papillomavirus-associated plantar epidermoid cysts: MR and US imaging appearance.

Epidermoid cysts are epithelial cysts that present as slow-growing intradermal or subcutaneous lesions. While recent epidemiological studies have isolated human papillomavirus (HPV) from plantar epidermoid cysts, imaging findings in HPV-associated epidermoid cysts have not been previously reported. We describe imaging findings in two patients with HPV-associated plantar epidermoid cysts. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and ultrasonography (US) showed linear arrangement of several adjacent globular cysts. This appearance is hypothesized to result from HPV-associated eccrine duct metaplasia leading to cyst formation and later traumatic rupture leading to formation of multiple adjacent cystic components. It may be useful to suggest assessing the presence of HPV antigen in plantar lesions having these imaging findings.

Imaging of vascular tumors with an emphasis on ISSVA classification.

The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification is becoming the international standard classification system for vascular tumors and vascular malformations. The ISSVA classification strictly distinguishes vascular tumors (neoplastic lesions) from vascular malformations (non-neoplastic lesions) based on whether there is a proliferation of vascular endothelial cells present, and it is an extremely useful classification system for determining therapeutic measures. For vascular tumors, it is clinically significant in terms of discriminating infantile hemangioma and rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma, which are expected to spontaneously regress, from other vascular tumors requiring treatment. Needless to say, clinical courses are important for diagnosis, and it is also important for radiologists to understand imaging findings on vascular tumors because such tumors have unique findings on diagnostic images. In this paper, vascular tumors are classified based on the ISSVA classification, and clinical and imaging findings are reviewed.

Prevalence and clinical features of lymphedema in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cystic lung disease predominantly affecting young women. Some of these patients develop lymphedema of the lower extremities and buttocks; however, neither the exact frequency of LAM-associated lymphedema nor the clinical features of such patients is well delineated. OBJECTIVES: To document the frequency, features, and treatment of LAM-associated lymphedema. METHODS: We reviewed all medical records of patients listed in the Juntendo University LAM registry for the 30 years preceding August 2010. RESULTS: Of 228 patients registered with a diagnosis of LAM, eight (3.5%) had LAM-associated lymphedema of the lower extremities. All were females with sporadic LAM, and their mean age when diagnosed was 32.5 years (range 23-44). Lymphedema of the lower extremities was the chief or a prominent presenting feature in five of these LAM patients. CT scans showed that all eight patients had enlarged lymph nodes (lymphangioleiomyomas) in the retroperitoneum and/or pelvic cavity. Yet, cystic destruction of the lungs was mild in four patients, moderate in two and severe only in two. Seven of these patients were treated by administering a fat-restricted diet and complex decongestive physiotherapy, and four received a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog. With this combined protocol, all eight patients benefitted from complete relief or good control of the lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphedema is a rare complication of LAM and may be associated with axial lymphatic involvement or dysfunction rather than severe cystic lung destruction. The combined multimodal treatments used here effectively resolved or controlled LAM-associated lymphedema.

Therapeutic depletion of myeloid lineage leukocytes in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis indicates a major role for neutrophils in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by fever, erythema, and neutrophilic pustules over large areas of the skin. GPP does not respond well to pharmacologic intervention. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess efficacy of selectively depleting the myeloid lineage leukocytes in patients with GPP. METHODS: Fifteen patients with persistent moderate to severe GPP despite conventional therapy were included. Eligible patients had more than 10% of their skin area covered by pustules. Treatment with oral etretinate, cyclosporine, methotrexate, prednisolone, and topical prednisolone/vitamin D3 was continued if had been initiated well in advance of study entry. Five sessions of adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) with the Adacolumn (JIMRO Co Ltd, Takasaki, Japan) were administered (1 session/wk over 5 weeks) to selectively deplete Fcγ receptor and complement receptor bearing leukocytes. Efficacy was assessed by measuring the skin areas covered by pustules at baseline and 2 weeks after the last GMA session. RESULTS: One patient did not complete the first GMA session. Based on the GPP severity scores relative to entry, the overall scores improved (n = 14, P = .0027), and the area of erythroderma (P = .0042), pustules (P = .0031), and edema (P = .0014) decreased. Likewise, Dermatology Life Quality Index improved (P = .0016), reflecting better daily function and quality of life. Twelve patients were judged as responders (85.7%), and 10 patients maintained the clinical response for 10 weeks after the last GMA session without any change in medication. LIMITATIONS: This study was unblinded and without a placebo arm. CONCLUSION: GMA in this clinical setting was safe and effective, suggested a major role for granulocytes/monocytes in the immunopathogenesis of GPP.

Magnetic resonance imaging for extramammary Paget's disease: radiological and pathological correlations.

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous neoplasm that is thought to represent intraepithelial adenocarcinoma developing in an area rich in apocrine glands. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for this disease are not well established. We report three cases of pathologically confirmed EMPD in which MRI was performed before surgery. The lesions were widespread in the epidermis and the dermis. Lesions were sharply well enhanced on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted imaging and appeared hyperintense on diffusion-weighted imaging in all cases. Areas with enhancement in depth corresponded well with the pathological lesion. In addition, different malignant legions were found on the same images from MRI in two cases, indicating potential associations with other malignancies. We describe the MRI findings and their pathological correlation. MRI could be useful for preoperative evaluation of disease spread and detection of associated malignancies.

Response to hydroxychloroquine in Japanese patients with lupus-related skin disease using the cutaneous lupus erythematosus disease area and severity index (CLASI).

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is not available in Japan. To design a clinical trial of HCQ, we evaluated the response to HCQ in Japanese patients with lupus-related skin disease using the cutaneous lupus erythematosus disease area and severity index (CLASI). METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with lupus-related skin disease who started HCQ at four hospitals were included. Patients were categorized into responders by the CLASI response criteria. The points and the rate of improvement in the CLASI activity score after 16 weeks of treatment were analyzed, focusing on six parameters: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), skin manifestations, disease duration, prednisolone, smoking, and severity. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients, including 17 with SLE (6 with SLE/Sjögren's syndrome), were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty-three patients (85 %) were categorized as responders. The mean CLASI activity score improved from 10.1 to 4.5 (p < 0.0001). The improvement rate did not differ in these parameters except for that of annular erythema (81.6 versus 34.3 %, p = 0.036). On multivariate analysis, the baseline CLASI activity score (CLASI ≥9) correlated with the greatest decrease in CLASI activity score (F = 69.7, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CLASI is a reliable indicator to evaluate the efficacy of the drug, and HCQ is an effective treatment for Japanese patients with lupus-related skin disease.

Experience with the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of lupus erythematosus.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is generally used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Western countries. However, chloroquine retinopathy became a problem in Japan, and chloroquine has never been used since then. Even now HCQ remains non-approved. Therefore, the Japanese Hydroxychloroquine Study Group has been organized, and activities have started to have HCQ approved within Japan. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of HCQ against the skin manifestations of lupus erythematosus. There were seven patients, all female, and they consisted of four patients with SLE (skin lesion type: discoid lupus erythematosus [DLE] in three, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in one and lupus erythematosus profundus in one), two patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (both DLE), and one patient with a combination of SLE and dermatomyositis. HCQ was effective in three patients and ineffective in the two patients. We could not judge the efficacy of HCQ in the other two patients. There were no adverse effects in any of the patients. Efficacy was exhibited against telangiectasia and erythema. HCQ is also an effective and safe treatment for Japanese patients, and it is hoped that it will be approved for use in Japan very soon.

[A case of mycoplasma hominis infection on chronic refractory lower leg ulceration caused by livedo vasculopathy].

Mycoplasma hominis is a common inhabitant of the human urogenital tract and most frequently causes diseases of the genitourinary tract. Extragenital M. hominis infections are uncommon, with almost all occurring in immunosuppressed persons or those predisposed due to surgery or trauma. We report a case of non surgical, non-traumatic wound infection caused by M. hominis. A 28-year-old immunocompetent woman with livedo vasculopathy had an open wound on dorsum of her right foot with signs and symptoms of infection. However, gram staining of the wound swab demonstrated no microorganisms, and initial bacterial cultures did not reveal any microbial growth. After 2 days of culture, minute translucent colonies were appeared and subsequently identified as M. hominis. She was successfully treated with levofloxacin(LVFX). For the patient's being immune-competent, this infection seems to need a substantial bacterial transfer from the inhabitant organ. The transfer is likely mediated by the fluid's drop, for anatomical locations of vagina and the infection site on leg. Namely, the hinder leg infection is suspected to be caused by continual and heavy bacterial exposure originated from the vaginal M. hominis. This clinical case suggests that infections may occur even in normal immunological status if the site is close to, and lacks anatomical barrier from, the M. hominis inhabitant organ. Especially in infection at chronic refractory lower leg ulceraion, M. hominis should be considered as a causative organism.

Erythema nodosum associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection.

We report a 74-year-old woman who presented to hospital with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and 2 weeks later developed erythema nodosum (EN) on the legs, and was diagnosed with Yersinia enterocolitica infection based on her clinical course and microbiological examination of the stool. She also had a complication of pancreatitis, which made the diagnosis challenging. We should suspect infection by Y. enterocolitica when diagnosing cases of EN with gastrointestinal symptoms. We assume EN is likely to appear 2 weeks after the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms from our case and other case reports.