Collagen Bundles (collagen + bundle)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Deep Phenol Peeling and Fat Injection: Treatment Option for Perioral Wrinkles in a Scleroderma Patient

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2005
Yitzhack Ramon MD
Background Scleroderma is characterized by abnormal growth of connective tissue, often manifested with hard and tight skin. The viscous properties of the skin are impaired, and the main histologic changes include a thicker dermis, absence of pilosebaceous units, and a decreased space between collagen bundles. Often these patients have wound healing problems. Objective The objective was to demonstrate a case of scleroderma that had deep phenol perioral peeling and fat injection into the lips. According to our bibliographic search, this is the first report in the English literature of using these modalities in scleroderma patients. Methods A 64-year-old woman suffering from scleroderma for more than 20 years came for improvement of her perioral appearance. We decided to manage her deep perioral wrinkles by deep peeling using the Baker formula and concomitantly to use autologous fat injection to augment her thin lips. Results The healing of our patient after these two interventions was uneventful, and satisfactory results have been obtained. Conclusion Based on our experience, this intervention may be suggested for patients suffering from scleroderma after a detailed explanation of the possible wound healing difficulties is provided to the patients. [source]


Differentiation of the epidermis of scutes in embryos and juveniles of the tortoise Testudo hermanni with emphasis on beta-keratinization

ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 3 2005
L. Alibardi
Abstract The sequence of differentiation of the epidermis of scutes during embryogenesis in the tortoise Testudo hermanni was studied using autoradiography, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. The study was mainly conducted on the epidermis of the carapace, plastron and nail. Epidermal differentiation resembles that described for other reptiles, and the embryonic epidermis is composed of numerous cell layers. In the early stages of differentiation of the carapacial ridge, cytoplasmic blebs of epidermal cells are in direct contact with the extracellular matrix and mesenchymal cells. The influence of the dermis on the formation of the beta-layer is discussed. The dermis becomes rich in collagen bundles at later stages of development. The embryonic epidermis is formed by a flat periderm and four to six layers of subperidermal cells, storing 40,70-nm-thick coarse filaments that may represent interkeratin or matrix material. Beta-keratin is associated with the coarse filaments, suggesting that the protein may be polymerized on their surface. The presence of beta-keratin in embryonic epidermis suggests that this keratin might have been produced at the beginning of chelonian evolution. The embryonic epidermis of the scutes is lost around hatching and leaves underneath the definitive corneous beta-layer. Beneath the embryonic epidermis, cells that accumulate typical large bundles of beta-keratin appear at stage 23 and at hatching a compact beta-layer is present. The differentiation of these cells shows the progressive replacement of alpha-keratin bundles with bundles immunolabelled for beta-keratin. The nucleus is degraded and electron-dense nuclear material mixes with beta-keratin. In general, changes in tortoise skin when approaching terrestrial life resemble those of other reptiles. Lepidosaurian reptiles form an embryonic shedding layer and crocodilians have a thin embryonic epidermis that is rapidly lost near hacthing. Chelonians have a thicker embryonic epidermis that accumulates beta-keratin, a protein later used to make a thick corneous layer. [source]


Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia , an unusual reaction following tattoo: report of a case and review of the literature

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
Wei Cui MD
A 59-year-old woman presented with an itchy and uncomfortable raised lesion at a tattoo site (Fig. 1) on the lateral aspect of the left leg, just above the ankle. The tattoo had been placed 2 years before her presentation and the tattoo site was sun exposed. Immediately after she had the tattoo, she noticed redness of the skin. After a week, a pruritic and red scaly nodule developed that continued to gradually enlarge until her presentation. The patient had tried topical vitamin A and D ointment with no relief. The patient also had tattoos on the arms without any noticeable skin changes. The patient reported that the tattoo procedure on her leg was more painful than that on her arms, and was performed by a different (and perhaps inexperienced) tattoo artist. The original tattoo contained red, green, and yellow pigments. Figure 1. Raised nodular lesion with irregular margins A diagnosis of tattoo granuloma was considered; squamous cell carcinoma and fungal infection were included in the differential diagnosis. A punch biopsy was performed, followed by complete surgical excision of the lesion with a split-thickness skin graft from the right thigh. The skin excision specimen showed a 3 × 2.5-cm granular and pitted pink lesion with well-demarcated, somewhat irregular borders. The lesion was raised 0.5 cm above the skin surface. The lesion was present in the center of the original tattoo. Portions of the original tattoo with green and blue,green pigmentation were visible on either side of the lesion. No satellite lesions were identified. Microscopically, the raised lesion demonstrated striking pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, with irregular acanthosis of the epidermis and follicular infundibula, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis (Fig. 2). Follicular plugging was present with keratin-filled cystic spaces. There was a brisk mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis, composed primarily of lymphocytes, with admixed plasma cells and histiocytes. Giant cells were occasionally identified. Dermal pigment deposition was noted both within the lesion and in the surrounding skin, corresponding to the original tattoo. Variable dermal fibrosis was noted, with thick collagen bundles in some areas. There was no evidence of epidermal keratinocytic atypia, dyskeratosis, or increased suprabasal mitotic activity. Special stains (periodic acid,Schiff and acid-fast) for microorganisms were negative. Figure 2. (a) Raised lesion with marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and follicular plugging (hematoxylin and eosin; magnification, ×2.5). (b) Irregularly elongated and thickened rete pegs with blunt ends associated with dermal chronic inflammation (hematoxylin and eosin; magnification, ×5). (c) Follicular dilation and plugging with keratin-filled cystic spaces (hematoxylin and eosin; magnification, ×5). (d) Dermal pigment and fibrosis (hematoxylin and eosin; magnification, ×10) [source]


Cutaneous sclerosing perineurioma of the digit

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Toshitsugu Nakamura MD
An 11-year-old Japanese girl noticed a small nodule, with mild tenderness, on the right index finger 5 years before visiting our outpatient clinic. She had no familial history of neurofibromatosis or past history of traumatic injury at the site of the tumor. Physical examination revealed a slightly elevated, subcutaneous, nodular tumor in the volar aspect between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the digit (Fig. 1A). By magnetic resonance imaging examination, the tumor showed low density on both T1- and T2-weighted images, and was located just adjacent to the tendon with no invasive signs. The tumor was extirpated; at operation, it was well circumscribed and mobile without adhesion to adjacent tendon or nerve, and was easily removed. Figure 1. (a) Slightly elevated subcutaneous tumor (arrow) on the volar aspect of the right index finger. (b) gross appearance of the extirpated tumor, showing a well-circumscribed, whitish solid nodule Grossly, the tumor was a well-circumscribed, firm nodule (10 mm × 8 mm × 5 mm in size) (Fig. 1B). The cut surface was whitish, homogeneous, and solid without cystic lesions. Histologically, it was an unencapsulated, paucicellular dense, fibrous nodule with a concentric circular arrangement of collagen bundles (Fig. 2A). Amongst the fibrous bundles, a small number of ovoid/epithelioid or plump spindle cells were arranged in a corded, trabecular, or whorled (onion bulb-like) pattern (Fig. 2B); a storiform pattern was not noted. These cells were relatively uniform and had a somewhat elongated, slightly hyperchromatic nucleus with fine granular chromatin. Neither nuclear pleomorphism nor multinucleated cells were evident, and necrosis and mitotic figures were not observed. Periodic acid,Schiff (PAS) stain after diastase digestion highlighted the corded or whorled pattern of the tumor cells by encasing them. For immunohistochemical examination, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded serial tissue sections were stained by a labeled streptavidin,biotin method. The tumor cells were positive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) (Fig. 3A), and negative for pan-cytokeratin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD34, ,-smooth muscle actin, desmin, and CD68. Type IV collagen and laminin (Fig. 3B) were detected along the cords or whorls of the tumor cells, similar to the staining pattern of the diastase-PAS reaction. Schwann cells and axonal components, immunoreactive for S100 protein and neurofilament, respectively, were focally detected just adjacent to the cords or whorls, although the tumor cells per se did not express these proteins. Consequently, the tumor was found to be perineurial in origin and was diagnosed as cutaneous sclerosing perineurioma. Figure 2. (a) Low-power view of the tumor, showing an unencapsulated, paucicellular, dense, fibrous nodule with a concentric circular arrangement of collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin stain: original magnification, ×15). (b) Higher magnification of the tumor, showing ovoid or epithelioid cells arranged in cords or whorls in the abundant collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin stain: original magnification, ×150) Figure 3. Immunohistochemical profiles of the tumor. The tumor cells are positive for epithelial membrane antigen (a) and are surrounded by laminin (b) (original magnification, ×150) [source]


Finger pebbles in a diabetic patient: Huntley's papules

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2005
Claudio Guarneri MD
A 60-year-old obese man was referred to our department from the internal medicine unit. He had a 20-year history of poorly controlled diabetes (no other cases in the family), and was admitted to hospital because of respiratory and consequent heart failure. Skin examination showed diffuse xerosis and a rough, sandpaper-like appearance of the skin of the finger, of approximately 15 years' duration, consisting of multiple, minute, hyperkeratotic papules grouped in a miniature "cobblestone" pattern on the dorsum of the distal phalanges (Fig. 1), more dense over the knuckles and the interphalangeal joints. No pruritus was present. Figure 1. Pebbly pattern of the skin on the dorsum of the second digit He was a pensioner, who had been physically inactive for months previously, and this condition had occurred progressively in the absence of any known trauma. No other cutaneous manifestations were evident. Histologic examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining of a biopsy specimen taken from the left second finger; it displayed a hyperorthokeratotic epidermis with enlarged dermal papillae, thickened and vertically oriented collagen bundles, few elastic fibers, and a mild perivascular inflammatory infiltrate (Fig. 2). Figure 2. Histologic view of a biopsy specimen of the skin of the finger: the epidermis is hyperkeratotic, the dermal papillae are enlarged and there are thickened vertical collagen bundles, elastic fibers, and a mild perivascular inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×100) [source]


On the vascularization and structure of the skin of a Korean bullhead Pseudobagrus brevicorpus (Bagridae, Teleostei) based on its entire body and appendages

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
J. Y. Park
Summary To investigate the vascularization and structure of the skin and its relationship to cutaneous respiration in Pseudobagrus brevicorpus, a histological study by light microscopy was carried out on 15 regions of the skin, including eight body regions, six fins and the barbel. The skin consisted of the epidermis, dermis and subcutis in all regions, except for the barbel that had a relatively thin dermis and subcutis. The epidermis was composed of the outermost layer, the middle layer and the stratum germinativum. There were two kinds of gland cells: the unicellular mucus cells and large club cells. The middle layer had a small number of fine blood capillaries accompanied by dermal collagen in all regions; the mean number of blood capillaries ranged from 0.9 to 5.9. The mean diffusion distance between the capillary endothelial cells and the surface of the epidermis ranged from 50.6 to 126.8 ,m. Based on these intra-epithelial blood capillaries, the relative surface area of the respiratory epithelium ranged from 0.1 to a maximum value of 1.2%. The dermis lacking scales had collagen bundles arranged parallel to each other, but vertical fiber bundles around the dorso-lateral regions were seen at intervals. Sensory organs such as taste buds, pit organs and lateral canals were found whereby the taste buds in particular were more abundant in the epidermis of the barbel. The vascularization of the skin may be closely related to an additional respiratory system used to deal with an extreme hypoxic condition during dry seasons. [source]


An infiltrative variant of non-neural granular cell tumor: a case report

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 2009
Iwei Yeh
Dermal non-neural granular cell tumors are rare tumors of indeterminate lineage that typically present as well-circumscribed tumors with nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic activity. We describe a dermal non-neural granular cell tumor with a distinctive growth pattern with granular cells interspersed between collagen bundles. This asymptomatic papule arose on the scapula of a 46-year-old woman and consisted of a mixture of epithelioid and spindled granular cells. The immunohistochemical characteristics were similar to those of previously reported dermal non-neural granular cell tumors. Despite mild nuclear pleomorphism and dispersion of lesional cells among collagen bundles, mitoses were not present and Ki-67 staining indicated a low proliferative rate. In addition to being S-100 protein negative and NKI/C3 positive, our case was positive for PGP9.5 and weakly positive for neuron-specific enolase, a staining pattern similar to what has been observed for cellular neurothekeomas. Our case could represent a dermal non-neural granular cell tumor with unique architecture, a granular cellular neurothekeoma or a granular cell dermatofibroma. As both dermal non-neural granular cell tumor and cellular neurothekeoma are of indeterminate lineage, our case with features characteristic of both entities may suggest a common precursor or lineage for dermal non-neural granular cell tumor and cellular neurothekeoma. [source]


Squamous cell apocrine hidradenoma

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 10 2007
Jorge Angulo
Apocrine hidradenoma is a benign adnexal neoplasm with apocrine differentiation. The neoplasm is composed of four different types of epithelial cells, including pale or clear cells, polygonal cells, mucinous cells and squamous cells, with variable proportions of them from case to case. In most examples of this neoplasm, clear or the polygonal cells are predominant, whereas the other types of neoplastic cells are less abundant. We report two cases of apocrine hidradenoma mostly composed of squamous cells. Histopathologic examination showed that the neoplasms were composed of both solid and cystic areas. The solid aggregations of neoplastic cells were composed of a peripheral layer of basaloid polygonal cells, whereas squamous cells forming the bulk of the aggregations. These squamous cells showed large eosinophilic cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli. In one case, small foci of mucinous cells could also be seen in some aggregations of neoplastic cells, mostly around ductal structures. In both the cases, some of the tubular structures lined by epithelial cells showed evidence of decapitation secretion in their luminal border. The neoplastic stroma consisted of sclerotic collagen bundles when compared with adjacent normal dermis, and artefactual clefts separated the neoplasms from the surrounding tissue. The rare cases described in this report are exceptional because most of the neoplastic cells showed squamous appearance and for that reason we think that squamous cell apocrine hidradenoma is the most appropriate name for these neoplasms. [source]


Sarcomatoid eccrine porocarcinoma: report of two cases and a review of the literature

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Seng Geok Nicholas Goh
To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report in the English literature of porocarcinoma with predominantly undifferentiated sarcomatous change. We present two cases of sarcomatoid eccrine porocarcinoma associated with a benign poroma. Case 1 pertained to an 82-year-old woman with an ulcerated chest wall tumor, and Case 2 was that of a 74-year-old woman who presented with an ulcerated plaque in the lower leg. Case 1 showed an unusual pseudo-angiosarcomatous morphology with spindle cells dissecting through collagen bundles and forming vascular like channels. Case 2 revealed high-grade malignant spindle cells with focal evidence of ductal differentiation. In both the cases, benign poromatous elements were histologically evident. Immunohistochemistry performed showed pancytokeratin positivity in spindle cells of both lesions. Epithelial membrane antigen and carcino-embryonic antigen positivity in the malignant ductal elements and focal smooth muscle actin staining of the spindle cells were demonstrated in Case 2. A brief review of relevant literature is presented. [source]


Apparent Reactivation of a Fibrohistiocytic Proliferation with Features of Dermatofibroma and Dermatomyofibroma Following Systemic Immunosuppression

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
W.A. High
A 41 year-old man presented with an atrophic, hyperpigmented plaque on the right lower abdomen present since"birth". He denied any prior activity at the site, and had been told it was a "scar" from a prenatal insult. Six months earlier, he developed idiopathic focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis and was placed on 70 mg prednisone per day. He had not demonstrated evidence of lupus eythematosus. Shortly after beginning this regimen, erythematous and tender papules developed around the quiescent plaque. He had tapered his prednisone dose to 60 mg per day, but additional papules continued to erupt. An ellipse biopsy was performed which included a portion of the atrophic plaque and several surrounding papules. Histological examination revealed a proliferation of fibrohistiocytes between and amongst collagen bundles. In some areas, fibrohistiocytes entrapped collagen in a fashion reminiscent of a dermatofibroma. In other areas, particularly that of the atrophic plaque, the fibrohistiocytes were less numerous and more delicate in appearance. Scattered rudimentary fascicles were demonstrated. Adnexal structures were preserved. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the fibrohistiocytes to be positive for factor XIIIa and actin, but negative for desmin, CD34, S-100, procollagen I, and CD68. This lesion demonstrated unique clinical/histiological aspects not well characterized in the literature. [source]


The microanatomy of the distal arrector pili: possible role for ,1,1 and ,5,1 integrins in mediating cell-cell adhesion and anchorage to the extracellular matrix

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2000
Jeri Kersten Mendelson
The arrector pili (AP) muscle is a small band of smooth muscle that attaches proximally to the bulge area of the pilosebaceous apparatus in the reticular dermis and extends up toward the epidermis. The distal anatomy of the AP and the anchorage mechanism allowing hair erection have not been previously described. Integrins are likely candidates mediating this attachment. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to determine the distribution of the following integrins: ,1, ,2, ,3, ,4, ,5, ,6 and ,1 as well as fibronectin. Frozen human scalp tissue was sectioned in traditional planes, obliquely and horizontally to visualize microanatomy in three dimensions. Histological examination revealed that the distal portions of smooth muscle fibers splay extensively between collagen bundles of the upper dermis. Integrin subunits ,1, ,5 and ,1 were expressed by the AP muscle. Analysis of the relative density of immunoreactivity in digitized sections revealed increased ,5 subunit expression at the extracellular matrix (ECM)-muscle interface. These data suggest that anchorage of the AP muscle to the ECM is via ,5,1 integrin and ,1,1 integrin functions in muscle cell-cell adhesion. Extensive splaying of smooth muscle fibers may allow increased surface area contact between the ECM and smooth muscle cells expressing peripherally situated ,5 integrin. [source]


Morphology of skin incubation in Pipa carvalhoi (Anura: Pipidae)

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 11 2009
Hartmut Greven
Abstract South American Pipidae show a unique reproductive mode, in which the fertilized eggs develop in temporarily formed brood chambers of the dorsal skin after eggs have been deposited on the back of the female. We studied the skin incubation of Pipa carvalhoi using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The skin consists of a stratified epithelium with a one-layered stratum corneum, and the dermis. The dermis of the dorsal skin of nonreproductive and reproductive females lacks a distinct stratum compactum, which is typical for most anuran skins. The entire dermis shows irregularly arranged collagen bundles like a stratum spongiosum. Before egg laying, the skin swells, primarily by thickening and further by loosening of the middle zone of the dermis. In the epidermis, large furrows develop that are the prospective sites of egg nidation. The epidermis, which forms a brood chamber around the developing egg becomes bi-layered and very thin and lacks a stratum corneum. Further, the dermis loosens and becomes heavily vascularized. Egg carrying females do not have mature oocytes in their ovaries indicating a slow down or interruption of egg maturation during this period. Similarities with the brood pouch of marsupial frogs are discussed. J. Morphol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Perineurioma of the mandibular dental nerve: a case report and review of the literature

ORAL SURGERY, Issue 2 2009
E.F. Vencio
Abstract Perineurioma is an uncommon benign tumour of the nerve sheath composed exclusively of well-differentiated perineurial cells. It usually affects the limbs or trunk; intraoral lesions are uncommon. A rare case of perineurioma is described involving the mandibular dental nerve in a 59-year-old female, microscopically characterised by a combined pattern of intraneural and soft tissue perineurioma. The patient was referred for treatment of a lesion in the mandible. Panoramic radiography revealed a well-delimited osteolytic lesion with radiopaque halo in an edentulous region of the left mandible. Occlusal view showed no expansion of cortical bone. A surgical procedure for incisional biopsy disclosed a connection between the tumour and the alveolar inferior nerve. Grossly, an enlargement of the affected nerve was described. Microscopic examination showed tumour cells arranged in pseudo-onion bulb structures, with scattered collagen bundles, and areas with a whorled (storiform) arrangement. Many concentric whorls of spindle cells exhibiting thin, elongated eosinophic processes were seen. Immunohistochemical study exhibited strong positivity for epithelial membrane antigen. We report a rare case of perineurioma affecting the mandibular dental nerve showing both intraneural and soft tissue microscopic patterns and discuss morphological aspects for differential diagnosis. [source]


Familial Atrophia Maculosa Varioliformis Cutis: An Ultrastructural Study

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2001
Federica Dall'Oglio M.D.
We describe two brothers, ages 14 and 16 years, with spontaneously appearing, asymptomatic, varioliform and linear atrophic lesions. Their past medical history was positive for varicella occurring in childhood without residual facial scarring. Routine laboratory investigations and screening for circulating autoantibodies were negative. Both patients were concordant for HLA A2 and DQ4.1. Routine and ultrastructural histologic examination of a punch biopsy specimen showed the presence of scarce, small, fragmented elastic fibers and compact collagen bundles associated with hypertrophic fibroblasts in the dermis. Our patients remained clinically stable, untreated, over a 2-year follow-up period. No long-term follow-up data have previously been reported. [source]


Ultrastructural changes induced in cutaneous collagen by ultraviolet-A1 and psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy in systemic sclerosis

THE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Noriyuki SAKAKIBARA
ABSTRACT In the present study, we examined the ultrastructural alterations in collagen fibrils clinically softened by ultraviolet-A1 (UVA1, 340,400 nm) therapy and psoralen plus long-wave ultraviolet (PUVA) therapy and compared collagen fibril diameters in four patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In skin sclerosis, the dermis is compacted from the epidermal layer to the sweat glands, and the collagen bundles are thicker with decreased space between them. We obtained skin specimens before and after UVA1 or PUVA therapy, and compared cutaneous alterations in one diffuse-type patient and one limited-type patient following UVA1 therapy, and in two diffuse-type patients following PUVA treatment. Ultramicroscopic analysis revealed that UVA1 treatment decreased the diameter of the broad collagen fibrils, mainly in the upper reticular layer. PUVA induced similar alterations in the collagen fibrils, extending to the upper and middle reticular layers. PUVA therapy induced alterations in collagen fibril diameter in deeper layers than did UVA1 therapy, which might be related to the direct action of UV light and the depth of the light penetration. In three of four patients, collagen fibril diameter decreased, collagen fibril thickness equalized, and new, thin fibrils developed among the collagen fibrils, suggesting that collagen degradation and synthesis underlie the alterations induced by UVA1 and PUVA phototherapies. [source]


A case of sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

THE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
Koichiro NAKAMURA
ABSTRACT We report a 65-year-old woman with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who developed severely sclerotic skin on the fingers, hand and trunk following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). The patient had suffered from breast cancer and been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. She showed pancytopenia and was treated with APBCST. Four years after APBSCT, she developed the severe sclerotic changes on the fingers, hands, extremities and trunk. The skin biopsy showed a flattened epidermis and a proliferation of collagen bundles in the dermis. No anti-nucleolar DNA titers were detected in the serum. She was diagnosed with chronic GVHD. Despite treatment with oral prednisolone, the skin sclerotic change developed and the breast cancer recurred. She died due to pericarditis. This is a rare case of sclerodermatous GVHD following APBSCT. The serum interleukin (IL)-12 levels were examined during the treatment. [source]


Immunohistochemical and scanning electron microscopic comparison of the collagen network constructions between pig, goat and chicken livers

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009
Shotaro NISHIMURA
ABSTRACT The distribution and three-dimensional architecture of collagen fibers were compared between pig, goat and chicken livers. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that collagen type I was identified in the interlobular connective tissue region and intralobular areas in pigs and goats. Type III collagen was also identified in the interlobular connective tissue region and intralobular sinusoidal walls. In the chicken liver, only the circumference region of the vessels was immunostained with collagen type I and III antibodies and the interlobular connective tissue wall could not be distinguished clearly. In the intralobular region, collagen type I antibody immunoreacted around the hepatic cells but collagen type III antibody immunoreacted weakly. In the NaOH macerated specimen, well-developed collagen bundles formed the prominent interlobular walls in pigs. In contrast, the wall in the goat liver comprised a thin layer of the bundles. In the chicken liver, there were no notable collagen septa between lobules. The intralobular collagen construction was quite different between the animals, indicating a fragile collagen fibril networks in pigs, a robust framework in goats and dense fabric-like septa in chickens. These results indicate that the distinct collagen frameworks may contribute to the histological strength of the livers in each of the animal species. [source]


Investigation of sensory neurogenic components in a bleomycin-induced scleroderma model using transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor, and calcitonin gene-related peptide,knockout mice

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 1 2008
Árpád Szabó
Objective Along with their classic afferent function (nociception), capsaicin-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor,expressing sensory nerve terminals exert local and systemic efferent activities. Activation of TRPV1 causes sensory neuropeptide release, which modulates the inflammation process. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of this modulatory role of TRPV1 receptor and that of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in bleomycin-induced scleroderma, using transgenic mice. Methods Cutaneous sclerosis was induced with daily subcutaneous injections of bleomycin for 30 days. Control groups were treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). TRPV1 receptor gene,deficient (TRPV1,/,) mice and CGRP-knockout (CGRP,/,) mice and their wild-type (WT) counterparts were investigated. A composite sclerosis score was calculated on the basis of thickening, leukocyte infiltration, and the amount/orientation of collagen bundles. Dermal thickness and the number of ,-smooth muscle actin (,-SMA),positive cells were also determined. The quantity of the collagen-specific amino acid hydroxyproline was measured by spectrophotometry. Results Bleomycin treatment induced marked cutaneous thickening and fibrosis compared with that observed in control mice treated with PBS. The composite sclerosis score was 18% higher, dermal thickness was 19% higher, the number of ,-SMA,positive cells was 47% higher, and the amount of hydroxyproline was 57% higher in TRPV1,/, mice than in their WT counterparts. Similarly, the composite sclerosis score was 47% higher, dermal thickness was 29% higher, the number of ,-SMA,positive cells was 76% higher, and the amount of hydroxyproline was 30% higher in CGRP,/, mice than in the respective WT groups. Conclusion These results suggest that activation of the TRPV1 receptor by mediators of inflammation induces sensory neuropeptide release, which might exert protective action against fibrosis. We confirmed the protective role of CGRP in the development of cutaneous sclerosis. [source]


Granular cell tumour of the lacrimal gland

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009
SL VON HOLSTEIN
Purpose To report the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a patient with a granular cell tumour (GCT) of the lacrimal gland. Methods Surgical excision and histological examination. Results A 38-year old male presented with a painful swelling located temporally in the right upper eyelid. Clinical examination revealed proptosis and displacement of the right eye and a tumour was palpated at the site of the lacrimal gland. MRI scan revealed a solid tumour in the lacrimal fossa. The tumour was excised. Microscopically the tumour was composed of tumour cells with coarsely granular cytoplasm. The tumour cells were arranged in clusters and ribbons separated by collagen bundles and no necrosis or mitosis were present. The granules were PAS positive, diastase resistant and the tumour cells expressed focal staining for S100. Electron microscopy showed numerous secondary lysosomes. The diagnosis is consistent with a GCT. Conclusion This case presents for the first time a GCT of the lacrimal gland. [source]


A boy born with multiple lesions of atrophoderma

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2010
Piero Pavone
Abstract Aims:, The Atrophodermas include a large group of disorders appearing as localized or widespread depressed skin areas and characterized by underlying dermal atrophy. The present study aims to report a peculiar form of previously unreported focal dermal atrophy. Methods:, We studied over a period of 5 years a boy who manifested, since birth, multiple hypopigmented cutaneous atrophic lesions of the atrophoderma type in a mosaic distribution over the body and the legs. Results:, This boy did no develop other cutaneous or systemic stigmata except for an idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) manifested at age 2 years. Full serum, metabolic and infective analyses; full ophthalmological examination; ultrasound examination of the heart and internal organs; skeletal x-rays; brain magnetic resonance imaging; and DNA analysis of the PORCN (Focal Dermal Hypoplasia - FDH) gene in this boy yielded normal results. Pathological analysis of multiple skin specimens from an affected area revealed slightly reduced dermal thickness; hyperpigmentation of the basal layer; homogenized and disarrayed collagen bundles; perivascular chronic infiltrates of lymphocytes and histiocytes; and normal skin appendages. Currently, the child is healthy; he has mildly improved skin status with less-evident skin depression throughout the lesion areas and no further complication has been recorded. The histological and clinical appearance of the skin lesions and the course were against any known disorder in the group of the atrophodermas. Conclusions:, The cutaneous lesions seen in this boy represent a possibly new congenital skin disorder characterized by multiple, benign areas of focal dermal atrophy in a mosaic distribution. [source]