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Biomedical subjects

C I Harrington

Publications and source records attributed to C I Harrington.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Promoter region polymorphism in the human TNF-alpha gene is not associated with lichen sclerosus.

The pathogenesis of lichen sclerosus remains unknown. However, it has been frequently associated clinically with autoimmunity. The MHC haplotype A1, B8, DR3 is associated with many autoimmune conditions and has also been associated with the uncommon allele of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) promoter polymorphism. This allele is also associated with higher production of TNF in vivo and in vitro, and thus it has been speculated that it is the TNF-alpha gene which underlies the genetic association of many diseases with the autoimmune haplotype. There have been many reports of HLA associations with lichen scleroses, but these have not been concordant. We therefore decided to analyse the TNF-alpha polymorphism in patients with lichen scleroses to determine if TNF-alpha was likely to play a role in susceptibility or severity of lichen scleroses. No association between alleles of the TNF-alpha polymorphism and lichen scleroses was found.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

Scrotal pyoderma gangrenosum associated with dermatomyositis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) of the scrotum is extremely rare. We report a case of scrotal PG associated with dermatomyositis. Initial healing was slow despite the use of oral prednisolone and azathioprine. Healing was accelerated by the local use of a potent topical corticosteroid. PG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ulcerating lesions of the genitalia.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

Vulval involvement in lichen planus: a study of 37 women.

The overall prevalence of vulval involvement in women with lichen planus is unknown. In a series of 37 women with lichen planus, we found vulval lesions in 19 (51%). Vulval lesions are often chronic and may undergo malignant change. All patients presenting with cutaneous or oral lesions of lichen planus should be questioned about, and examined specifically for, signs of genital involvement. Long-term follow-up of these patients is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism association with lichen sclerosus.

Cytokines play key roles in immune responses, inflammation and fibrosis. The balance between levels of cytokines, their receptors and specific inhibitors controls inflammatory reactions in tissues. The pathogenesis of lichen sclerosus is unknown but probably involves cytokine mediators such as interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). The IL-1ra is a competitive inhibitor of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, and therefore is a powerful endogenous anti-inflammatory molecule. The gene encoding IL-1ra (designated IL-1RN) has a variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in intron 2. There are five alleles of the gene corresponding to 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 repeats of an 86-bp sequence. We have determined allele frequencies in a control population and a group of 78 patients with lichen sclerosus. The frequency of one of the alleles is related to increasing disease severity. Thus, IL-1RN may be a candidate gene or severity factor for lichen sclerosus or may possibly be a linked marker to another, as yet undefined, gene.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in vulval lichen planus.

We report two cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in vulval lichen planus. Patients with lichen planus should be examined for evidence of genital involvement. If this is present, such patients should be closely monitored, and any atypical lesions biopsied.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Lupus pernio following facial trauma.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis may occur at sites of trauma. Two patients are reported in whom lupus pernio developed in the area of facial fractures. Injury may be a factor in the site of development of lupus pernio in some individuals and may have medico-legal implications. Cutaneous sarcoidosis is known to occur at the sites of scars and trauma but lupus pernio has not been widely recognized to show this phenomenon. We report two patients in whom lupus pernio developed at the site of facial trauma.

Erythema↗
PubMed1990

Synergistic effects of azathioprine and ultraviolet light detected by sister chromatid exchange analysis.

The immunosuppressant azathioprine and longwave ultraviolet (UV) light have been postulated to have a synergistic effect on DNA resulting in carcinogenic change. This study investigated the in vitro effect of UV light on renal transplant recipients (RTRs) immunosuppressed with azathioprine and prednisolone to prevent rejection and patients on azathioprine for skin conditions and normal controls on no drug therapy. The results show clearly that there is an increase in sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in both patient groups in response to UV light with the greatest increase shown by the RTRs. Both patient groups without exposure to UV also showed a significant increase, as compared with normal controls, with the RTRs again showing the highest level. Both patient groups also showed disruption of the cell cycle in response to UV light as measured by the proliferative rate index (PRI) but the controls did not. These findings support the hypothesis of a synergistic effect between azathioprine and UV light and correlate well with the clinical pattern of carcinogenesis observed in these patients, with RTRs having a well-documented increased risk of neoplasia, particularly skin carcinomas in light-exposed areas.

Adult↗