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J Arata

Publications and source records attributed to J Arata.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Expression of bcl-2 antagonist bak in inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases.

Bak (bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer) is a proapoptotic member of the ever-expanding bcl-2 gene family, a recently described category of oncogenes that is critical for the regulation of programmed cell death. We investigated the expression of bak in several inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases in comparison with normal skin. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive bak staining in epidermal keratinocytes of normal skin, with the granular layer being stained slightly more strongly than the basal and spinous layers, and in psoriasis vulgaris, lichen planus, actinic keratosis, keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma. We demonstrated the expression of bak in the follicular infundibulum in contrast to the outer root sheath of the lower follicle, which showed only negative to weak bak expression. Seventeen of 20 basal cell carcinomas examined showed negative immunostaining for bak, and the remaining three basal cell carcinomas showed only partial weak positivity, mainly in the palisading layers of some tumour formations. Immunoblot analysis using cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes revealed the presence of bak protein in both undifferentiated and differentiated keratinocytes. The results of our study suggest that the loss of bak expression, in conjunction with the previously reported overexpression of bcl-2, might contribute to the pathogenesis of basal cell carcinoma.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1996

Staphylococcus aureus infection on cut wounds in the mouse skin: experimental staphylococcal botryomycosis.

Staphylococcus aureus cells were inoculated on the cut wounds in the skin of cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Biopsy specimens were taken from three mice at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h after the inoculation and were examined by light and electron microscopies. One hour after the inoculation Staphylococcus aureus cells were seen around the cut wound and deeper into the subcutaneous tissue. By 6 h after the inoculation, Staphylococcus aureus cells formed clusters of bacterial colonies. By 36 h after the inoculation inflammatory cells, mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, were seen around the clusters. Electron microscopic examination revealed fibril-like structures around the Staphylococcus aureus cells at 1 h. The Staphylococcus aureus cells were enclosed in membrane-like structures at 3 h. The membrane-like structures and the fibril-like structures were positive for Ruthenium red. By 12 h after the inoculation, the membrane-like structures increased in thickness and in electron density. Inflammatory cells were seen around but outside of the membrane-like structures at 24, 36 and 48 h. At 60 h the tissues around the membrane-like structures were degenerated and almost necrotic. These results suggest that Staphylococcus aureus cells may form biofilm in dermal or subcutaneous tissues in a neutropenic condition.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus to horny layer: role of fibrinogen.

Staphylococcus aureus cells attach to and invade the epidermis more easily under conditions of abrasion or occlusion or in the presence of irritant dermatitis than when the epidermis is intact. This fact strongly suggests that exuded plasma components may play an important role in the adherence of S. aureus cells to the horny layer. S. aureus cells (Cowan 1 strain, Wood 46 strain, and the protein A-deficient mutant, C7 strain, which was isolated from the Cowan 1 strain) were epicutaneously inoculated on the backs of mice. Biopsy specimens were taken from the mice at 1 h, 3 h, and 6 h after inoculation and examined using immunoelectron microscopy. Gold particles for fibrinogen gathered in a time-dependent manner at the interfaces of S. aureus cells and horny material in the lesions inoculated with the Cowan 1 and C7 strains but not in the lesions inoculated with the Wood 46 strain. These results suggest that fibrinogen plays a role in the binding of S. aureus cells to the horny layer.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Localization of prolidase gene expression in scar tissue using in situ hybridization.

We investigated prolidase gene expression in human skin by means of Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. Northern blot analysis revealed that an mRNA species that was specific for prolidase was present in cultured human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes. In situ hybridization using non-isotopic riboprobes labeled with digoxigenin and an isotopic riboprobe labeled with [35S]UTP localized prolidase gene expression to fibroblasts and endothelial cells of small vessels in scar tissue. Prolidase mRNA was also prominently expressed in keratinocytes near the basal layer overlying scar tissue. These findings indicate that prolidase may have an important role in wound healing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Antiepiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid: the first case report from Japan.

We describe a Japanese man with antiepiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid and typical clinical features, including ocular involvement. Direct immunofluorescence showed IgG deposition at the basement membrane zone. Indirect immunofluorescence of 1M sodium chloride-split skin showed circulating antibasement membrane zone antibodies of IgG class reactive with the dermal side of the split. Immunoblotting of human epidermal and dermal extracts, as well as a bacterial fusion protein of BP180 NC16a domain, showed no specific reactivity. In contrast, with immunoprecipitation of either culture medium or cell lysate from normal keratinocytes, the patient's serum clearly reacted with the protein epiligrin, a laminin isoform present in the lamina lucida of the human epidermal basement membrane zone. This is the first confirmed case of a Japanese patient with this disease entity.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1995

Allergic granulomatosis (Churg-Strauss) associated with cutaneous manifestations: report of two cases.

Allergic granulomatosis (Churg-Strauss) is sometimes associated with cutaneous manifestations. Biopsies of these manifestations are characteristic enough to allow for the diagnosis of this disease through histological examination. Case 1 involved a 34-year-old man who developed a low-grade fever, blood eosinophilia, paralysis of the right oculomotor nerve, and a polymorphic eruption. In addition, he suffered from preceding asthma and paresthesia of the legs and eventually developed heart failure. The histological examination of a biopsy taken from a hemorrhagic bulla showed a dense perivascular infiltration of eosinophils in the upper dermis and basophilic degeneration of collagen fibers. Case 2 involved a 41-year-old man who was afflicted with urticarial erythemas, livedoid erythemas, preceding asthma, and blood eosinophilia. During the course of his illness, he also developed bilateral peroneal nerve paralysis and two small erythemato-bullous lesions. The histological examination of a urticarial lesion revealed an abundant eosinophil perivascular infiltration; examination of a nodule revealed basophilic degeneration with a granulomatous reaction. Clinical and laboratory studies strongly suggested the diagnosis of allergic granulomatosis in both of these cases. The diagnosis was also supported by a histological examination of the skin lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH) is an uncommon, self-limited dermatosis usually attributed to anti-cancer chemotherapy. It is characterized histologically by necrosis of the eccrine gland and neutrophilic infiltrate. OBSERVATIONS: We saw NEH in a 5-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a 4-year-old girl with acute monocytic leukemia. NEH developed after the anti-leukemic chemotherapy including high dose cytarabine. The eruption was composed of vesicles, papules, and plaques. CONCLUSIONS: Histological findings were compatible with those described in the literature. NEH in our two patients could be attributed to high doses of cytarabine.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1995

[Variegate porphyria].

Variegate porphyria was reviewed in the epidemiological, clinical and biochemical aspects. Dual porphyrias were also referred to.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Staphylococcus aureus infection on experimental croton oil-inflamed skin in mice.

Staphylococcus aureus cells were inoculated on the surface of skin inflamed by application of croton oil in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Skin specimens were taken at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h inoculation and each specimen was examined by microscopy. The S. aureus cells which attached to the surface of the skin immediately after inoculation had invaded the horny layer within 1 h. The cells gradually penetrated deeper into the epidermis. Electron microscopy revealed fibril-like structures around the S. aureus cells and the cells which adhered to the horny layer and fibrin by means of Ruthenium red-positive, fibril-like structures. A combined application of 0.1% gentamicin ointment, 2% fusidic acid ointment, and clobetasol propionate ointment was more effective in decreasing the number of S. aureus cells in the lesions than was an application of clobetasol propionate ointment alone. However, a combined application of 0.1% gentamicin ointment and 2% fusidic acid ointment without clobetasol propionate ointment showed almost the same efficacy as that with clobetasol propionate ointment. Although povidone iodine killed S. aureus in vitro at a concentration of 0.01% (100 micrograms/ml) in 40 s, its in vivo efficacy was limited.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Expression of type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor mRNA in human skin, as revealed by in situ hybridization.

We studied the expression of the type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor mRNA in normal and psoriatic human skin in vivo. In situ hybridization analysis showed that its signals were expressed in the epidermal keratinocytes of the basal, the spinous and the granular layer, although no significant signals were observed in the fibroblasts or endothelial cells of the dermis. The follicular epithelium also expressed the type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor mRNA. There was no difference in the pattern of DNA expression between normal and psoriatic skin. These results suggest that the mRNA of the type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor is mainly expressed in the epithelial components of skin and controls the proliferation of the epidermis.

Endothelium↗
PubMed1994

Congenital rubella syndrome with rubella virus-associated generalized brownish macules, indurated erythemas, papules, and pigmentation.

BACKGROUND: We examined an infant with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The purpose of this report is to describe the skin manifestations in this patient and to prove that they were associated with rubella virus. OBSERVATIONS: A 7-month-old boy presented with generalized brownish macules, indurated erythemas, papules, and pigmentation. They first appeared at around 3 months of age. His mother had contracted rubella during the 14th gestational week. At the time of examination, rubella-specific IgM antibody was positive in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid of the baby. A physical exam had revealed deafness, mental and physical retardation, interstitial pneumonitis, and hepatosplenomegaly. A skin biopsy specimen showed a dense infiltration mainly of lymphocytes, with B cells predominant in the deep dermis. Electron microscopically abundant tubuloreticular structures were observed in capillary endothelial cells, lymphocytes, and dermal fibroblasts. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis suggested that rubella virus RNA was present in the patient's skin specimen, cerebrospinal fluid, and total blood. CONCLUSIONS: The cutaneous manifestations of our patient were extraordinary and informative. These prominent skin lesions should be recognized as cutaneous markers of CRS.

Humans↗