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Biomedical subjects

H Tagami

Publications and source records attributed to H Tagami.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Functional analyses of the superficial stratum corneum in atopic xerosis.

Dermatologists universally recognize that the unaffected skin of patients with atopic dermatitis tends to be dry and slightly scaly. To characterize the functional properties of the superficial stratum corneum in atopic xerosis, we studied the forearms of 28 patients with atopic dermatitis, aged 14 to 30 years, and 18 age-matched controls, with the use of mainly noninvasive methods. Patients with atopic xerosis showed markedly higher transepidermal water loss and markedly lower skin surface hydration levels than did the controls. The corneocytes in atopic xerosis tended to desquamate in clumps of cell aggregates instead of as individual cells. They contained a substantially lower amount of water-soluble amino acids, which play a role in the water-retaining capacity of stratum corneum, than did those of controls. Although the number of stratum corneum cell layers in atopic xerosis (21 +/- 4) was substantially larger than that in controls (15 +/- 1), its turnover time (7 +/- 2 days) was appreciably shorter than that for controls (14 +/- 2 days). Like those noted in the skin with increased epidermal proliferation, the size of superficial corneocytes in patients with atopic xerosis was substantially smaller than in controls. Histopathologic examination revealed acanthotic epidermis, mild perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrate, and pigment incontinence. Atopic xerosis, the dry skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, shows various stratum corneum functional impairments, probably reflecting increased epidermal proliferation due to a low-level ongoing dermatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Molecular basis of tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism. A single base mutation in the tyrosinase gene causing arginine to glutamine substitution at position 59.

Tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is one of classical inborn errors of metabolism, characterized by a complete lack of melanin pigments in the eyes and skin. We have isolated and characterized the tyrosinase gene of one child (F. S.) affected with tyrosinase-negative OCA. Sequence analysis reveals a single-base mutation in the exon 1 (a G to A transition at nucleotide residue 312), causing the Arg (CGG) to Gln (CAG) substitution at position 59. This base change eliminates one MspI site and creates a new BstNI site in the patient's exon 1, which is invaluable for screening other OCA patients and heterozygote carriers for this mutation. We are thus able to confirm that the patient F. S. is homozygous for this OCA allele. The family members of the patient F. S. are phenotypically normal, but are shown to be heterozygote carriers. Transfection of the mutant gene fails to give rise to detectable tyrosinase activity in transient expression assays, suggesting that the mutation affects the stability or the catalytic activity of the enzyme. We therefore propose that the albino phenotype of the patient F. S. is a consequence of the Arg to Gln substitution at position 59 caused by a point mutation in the tyrosinase gene.

Albinism, Oculocutaneous↗
PubMed1990

Interleukin 2, soluble interleukin 2 receptor, and interferon-gamma in the suction blister fluids from psoriatic skin.

Psoriasis represents inflammatory skin disorders characterized by significant changes in cellular immunity, particularly exhibiting alterations in T lymphocyte-related functions. Early psoriatic lesions have been reported to show an infiltration of activated helper T cells. Elevated levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) are associated with an early activation of T cells. To examine local activation of T cells in psoriatic skin, the amounts of activated T cell products, IL-2, secretory form of IL-2R (sIL-2R) and INF-gamma were measured in the fluids of suction blisters raised on psoriatic skin. sIL-2R levels were significantly elevated in the suction blister fluids raised on psoriatic involved skin compared with those on normal and psoriatic uninvolved skin. On the other hand, neither IL-2 or IFN-gamma was detected in the suction blister fluids either from normal, psoriatic uninvolved, or involved skin. However, we could detect IFN-gamma and IL-2 in the psoriatic scale extracts. Although we failed to detect IL-2 and IFN-gamma in the suction blister fluids, the increased levels of sIL-2R in the suction blister fluids from the psoriatic lesional skin indicate local activation of T cells in psoriatic lesional skin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Therapeutic success of epidermal grafting in generalized vitiligo is limited by the Koebner phenomenon.

Eighteen patients with vitiligo (two with localized type, five with segmental type, and 11 with generalized type) were treated with an epidermal graft using the roof of a suction blister. In all patients with localized and segmental lesions and in seven with generalized lesions, successful repigmentation without scarring was observed at the grafted sites approximately 2 to 3 weeks after grafting, and a subsequent two- to threefold expansion of the pigmented area occurred within 3 to 4 months. On the other hand, no repigmentation could be achieved in four patients with generalized vitiligo in whom depigmentation (i.e., the Koebner phenomenon) occurred at the donor sites. Our results suggest that the Koebner phenomenon occurs in an all-or-none pattern only in patients with generalized vitiligo. Thus, although epidermal grafting is a simple and useful method, successful repigmentation at the recipient sites depends on the selection of patients with localized lesions in whom the Koebner phenomenon does not develop.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Erythema induratum of Bazin as a type of tuberculid.

We report three cases of patients with erythema induratum of Bazin who showed extreme tuberculin hypersensitivity reactions and a good therapeutic response to isoniazid. In the first patient satellite lesions with epithelioid granuloma formation developed 3 weeks after injection of purified protein derivative. In the second patient a high fever developed 1 day after injection of purified protein derivative, and the third patient blistered at the injection site; the histopathologic pattern was similar to erythema multiforme. Immunohistologic study of the epithelioid granulomas demonstrated a predominance of Leu-1--bearing, Leu-3a--bearing, and human lymphocyte antigen-DR-expressing cells. We conclude that erythema induratum of Bazin represents a tuberculid caused by heightened delayed-type hypersensitivity to components of tubercle bacilli released from latent foci of infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction is reduced in patients with psoriasis.

The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (auto-MLR) was studied to test the interactions between immunocompetent cells in patients with psoriasis. The auto-MLR in 20 patients with psoriasis was significantly lower than in 16 normal controls. Lower values were found in untreated psoriatic patients than in those in remission following treatment. The values in the latter group were significantly lower than in controls and in six patients with atopic dermatitis in remission. The tendency for an increase in the auto-MLR with a decrease in disease activity was further confirmed in five patients studied before and after treatment. In contrast, the allogeneic lymphocyte reaction (allo-MLR) in psoriatics was similar to that in normal controls.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1990

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement in psoriatic lesional skin.

The complement system may play an important role in the inflammatory reaction of psoriasis. While the classical pathway of the complement has been shown to be activated in psoriasis, there have been few reports on the involvement of the alternative pathway in the inflammatory reactions in psoriasis. Complement fragments, C4d and Bb, are released at the time of the classical and alternative pathway activation, respectively. The presence of the C4d or Bb fragment, therefore, denotes a preceding complement activation through the classical and/or alternative pathway. In the present study, we have measured the levels of C4d and Bb in psoriatic scale extracts using enzyme immunoassay techniques. The scales of these dermatoses contained higher levels of C4d and Bb detectable by enzyme immunoassay than those in the stratum corneum of noninflammatory skin. These results suggest that the alternative as well as the classical pathway of complement are activated in psoriatic lesional skin.

Complement Activation↗
PubMed1990

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in psoriasis.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a product of activated T lymphocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes, is thought to play an important role in inflammatory reactions by 'priming' or enhancing the functions of neutrophils and macrophages. The aim of this study was to determine whether GM-CSF is detectable in psoriatic lesions. No GM-CSF was detected by ELISA in the suction blister fluids raised on normal, psoriatic uninvolved or involved skin. In contrast, although we could not detect GM-CSF in most of the extracts from noninflammatory stratum corneum, it was readily detected in most of the scale extracts from psoriasis and sterile pustular dermatoses, and its level was significantly higher than that from the controls. These results suggest that in psoriasis GM-CSF may amplify and modulate inflammatory reactions and activated T cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Hereditary benign telangiectasia: a congenital type.

Hereditary benign telangiectasia (HBT) is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, and in all the cases reported in the past it developed after birth. We describe 3 congenital cases of HBT in the same Japanese family: a 29-year-old father and his 5-month- and 2-year-old daughters have had scattered erythematous patches of various sizes in diameter since birth.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Pigmented nail streak associated with Bowen's disease of the nail matrix.

We described a 59-year-old male physician with Bowen's disease occurring on the nail matrix of his right 5th finger. The rapid growth of the pigmented nail streak accompanied by nail deformity led us to consider the possibility of subungual melanoma clinically. Histologic features, however, were compatible with those of Bowen's disease accompanied by melanocytes with melanin-rich long dendrites in the nail matrix. We speculate that his occupational exposure to X-rays for 25 years played an important role in the pathomechanism of the present case.

Bowen's Disease↗
PubMed1990

Chronic vulvar purpura.

We described a 56-year-old Japanese woman with a long-standing asymptomatic vulvar purpuric lesion. Histological studies revealed massive hemorrhage, deposition of hemosiderin and a moderate lymphohistiocytic infiltration. We speculate that chronic intrapelvic congestion with increased venous pressure possibly due to abdominal ptosis played an important role in the pathomechanism for this persistent purpuric lesion of the vulva.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1990

Decreased levels of IL-1 alpha and beta in psoriatic lesional skin.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1), which mediates a wide range of biological activities, is thought to play an important role in many inflammatory and immunologic diseases. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes constitutively produce IL-1. Based on our previous data indicating decreased IL-1 activity in psoriatic scale extracts, in the present study, we measured immunoreactive IL-1 alpha and beta levels in the suction blister fluids as well as in the psoriatic scale extracts using enzyme immunoassay for IL-1 alpha and beta. The results showed that although similarly low levels of IL-1 alpha were detectable in the suction blister fluid from normal and psoriatic lesional skin, and that no IL-1 beta was found in most of the blister fluids, indicating that IL-1 alpha is major IL-1 species produced by human skin. As compared to those in the blister fluids, IL-1 alpha levels in the horny tissue extracts were found to be much higher, and they were significantly higher in the orthokeratotic stratum corneum extracts than in the psoriatic scale extracts. However, gel filtration of the orthokeratotic horny tissue extracts demonstrated that constituents for immunoreactive IL-1 alpha and beta were quite variable depending upon the source of the horny tissues. The present study has confirmed that IL-1 levels in the psoriatic scale extracts are decreased when compared with those in the orthokeratotic horny tissue possibly due to an increased epidermal proliferation activity associated with its high turnover rate. The role of IL-1 psoriatic lesions remains unknown.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Normal human epidermal keratinocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor.

Human epidermal keratinocytes constitutively produce a variety of cytokines, including neutrophil chemotactic peptide named epidermal cell-derived thymocyte-activating factor, which has been later confirmed to be interleukin 1 (IL-1). Because recombinant IL-1 lacks chemotactic activity, in the present study, we examined the exact nature of the neutrophil chemotactic peptide in the culture supernatant of normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes produced a neutrophil chemotactic factor, which was also chemotactic for T lymphocytes. Molecular sieve chromatography revealed an approximate molecular size of 11,000 daltons. The activity was retained after heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min, and at a pH between 4 and 11, but was partially inactivated at pH 3, or by trypsin treatment. The chemotactic activity was not inhibited by the treatment with anti-IL-1 antibody. Its production by keratinocytes was stimulated by IL-1 and lipopolysaccharide but not by UV irradiation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or by interferon-gamma. The neutrophil chemotactic activity in vivo was confirmed by the intradermal injection of the factor into guinea pigs. Blocking study with monoclonal antibodies against NAP-1/IL-8 confirmed that the neutrophil chemotactic factor is IL-8.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Adult T cell leukemia accompanied by annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma.

We report a 74-year-old Japanese patient with adult T-cell leukemia who concurrently developed annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma. Initially, itchy granulomatous lesions developed on his face, nape of the neck and dorsa of the hands, but gradually erythematous plaques appeared on the back and lower limbs. The histology of the granulomatous lesions revealed coexistence of an epithelioid cell granuloma with giant cells that phagocytosed elastic fibres in the dermis and Pautrier's microabscesses in the overlying epidermis. Subsequent sequential histological studies of an erythematous plaque revealed the development of granulomatous changes in pre-existing lymphomatous lesions. Laboratory data revealed the presence of antibody to human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus I and 14,200 white cells/mm3 in the peripheral blood with 2% atypical lymphocytes which eventually amounted to 30%, one month before his death.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Pressing and stretching of psoriatic lesions induces their involution.

Remission of psoriatic lesions was induced when the lesions were firmly pressed with a plastic cap held in place by an elastic bandage for 24 h or stretched with a negative pressure of 200 mmHg for 2 h. Seven out of 10 patients showed a clinical improvement of the treated psoriatic lesions. These lesions cleared within 1-3 weeks after removal of the apparatus. Biopsy specimens taken from responding lesions showed a reduction in psoriatic epidermal and dermal changes as compared with those taken before treatment. Patients having extensive active psoriatic lesions experienced recurrence after approx. 3 weeks. No complications were seen except for an occasional formation of erosions at sites the edges of the apparatuses were apposed too firmly.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Lack of increase in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in psoriatic skin.

Previously, we showed an elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in psoriatic skin. Granulocyte (G)-CSF, which is also released from the infiltrating cells and epidermal keratinocytes, profoundly influences the biological activities of terminally differentiated neutrophils, in addition to its supporting effects on the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells of neutrophil lineage. We have carried out enzyme immunoassay for G-CSF in suction blister fluids and horny tissue extracts from psoriatic skin. Although some samples of the blister fluids and stratum corneum extracts showed G-CSF, there were no significant differences between the concentration in normal and psoriatic skin. These results suggest that, among CSFs, GM-CSF plays a more important role than G-CSF in the local immune responses in psoriasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma masquerading as syringoma of the scalp.

We report a case of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the scalp in a 72-year-old man. It consisted of syringomalike papules scattered on an erythematous plaque that showed a loss of hair. Histologically, the papular lesion at first showed numerous tadpole-like tubular structures similar to those found in syringoma. Subsequent histologic studies over 2 years revealed the presence of numerous cribriform tumor masses penetrating into the subcutis, reaching the galea aponeurotica. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells showed no staining with either polyclonal (P) or monoclonal (M) antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen. M-cytokeratin, M-vimentin, and P-S-100 protein antibodies were positive only focally as were other antibodies, including anti-actin, anti-human lactalbumin, anti-beta 2 microglobulin, and breast cancer--associated antigens. The neoplastic cells showed no binding to lectins that characteristically react with the sweat apparatus, except for concanavalin A (con A) and peanut agglutinin (PNA), although the striking histopathologic resemblance to syringoma suggested its histogenic relation to eccrine glands initially.

Adenoma↗