Biomedical subjects

Enno Christophers

Publications and source records attributed to Enno Christophers.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Positive patch tests with a dermatophagoides mix relate to an increased responsiveness to standard patch test allergens.

The diagnostic meaningfulness of patch tests with house dust mite allergens is still questionable. Our own impression has been that positive results with a dermatophagoides mix may occur preferentially in patients with a generally enhanced responsiveness to contact allergens. To check this, all of our patients allocated to patch testing with the standard series were additionally patch tested with a dermatophagoides mix by the same technique that was used for standard contact allergens. Out of 571 patients tested, 188 showed delayed responses to this mix that were indistinguishable from typical allergic patch test reactions but of no apparent clinical relevance. No relationship was found between positive dermatophagoides patch tests and an atopic disposition of the patients or characteristics of their eczema. However, 64.4% of the patients with a positive dermatophagoides patch test showed a response to at least 1 contact allergen of the standard series, compared to only 56.4% of the patients without a positive dermatophagoides reaction (p < 0.05). The reactivity to the mite mix was not related to the responsiveness towards any particular contact allergens. We suppose that some unidentified factors may contribute to positive reactions to the dermatophagoides mix that may also favour an enhanced general responsiveness to contact allergens.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Combined segregation and linkage analysis of HLA markers in familial psoriasis.

Marker-based segregation analysis (MBSA) is a modification of a published method of combined linkage and segregation analysis (Am J Hum Genet 51: 1111-1126, 1992), to determine whether a candidate gene known to be associated with the disease of interest is truly segregating with the disease in families. Here we outline the conceptual basis of MBSA and present a Monte Carlo method for significance testing. The method is applied to PSORS1, a locus within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) for which linkage and linkage disequilibrium with psoriasis has already been demonstrated. The results are very consistent with our current knowledge of PSORS1, and suggest that MBSA can provide useful information on genotype-phenotype relationships such as penetrance and allelic heterogeneity.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed2002

Interleukin-1-stimulated secretion of interleukin-8 and growth-related oncogene-alpha demonstrates greatly enhanced keratinocyte growth in human raft cultured epidermis.

The CXC chemokines, interleukin-8 and growth-related oncogenealpha, are known to play a prominent part in wound healing as well as inflammatory skin disorders, including psoriasis. Both chemokines are potent neutrophil activators and were discussed as potential stimuli in keratinocyte growth. We examined the action of growth-related oncogene alpha and interleukin-8 in organotypic raft culture, which resembles in vivo skin in several respects. Addition of growth-related oncogene alpha and interleukin-8 resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent epidermal hyperproliferation in organotypic cultures. In cryostat sections an increased number of epidermal layers as well as significantly elevated number of Ki-67-stained keratinocytes indicate marked hyperproliferation with no evidence for the reduction of apoptotic cells. Terminal differentiation was shown to proceed in a regular fashion with formation of a cornified layer and the expression of suprabasal keratins in addition to the presence of differentiation markers. Interleukin-8-mediated hyperproliferation was inhibited by a blocking human monoclonal antibody. To demonstrate a specific receptor-mediated action of growth-related oncogene and interleukin-8, we used a CXC receptor 2 monoclonal antibody or a CXC receptor 2 selective nonpeptide antagonist, both of which lead to inhibition of interleukin-8-mediated hyperproliferation. Interleukin-1alpha caused induction of interleukin-8 and growth-related oncogene alpha mRNA as well as marked epidermal hyperproliferation. The interleukin-1alpha-mediated hyperproliferation was markedly reduced by both the interleukin-8-specific antibody and the CXC receptor 2 antagonist, indicating close correlation between the interleukin-8/CXC receptor 2 pathway and interleukin-1-induced keratinocyte growth stimulation. Our data indicate that interleukin-1 induces overexpression of interleukin-8 and growth-related oncogene alpha in human keratinocytes. These changes correlate with characteristic functional alterations of the epidermis as observed in psoriasis and wound healing.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

PubMed2002

Soluble CD30 plasma concentrations correlate with disease activity in patients with atopic dermatitis.

The levels of soluble CD30 in 79 patients with atopic dermatitis were compared with those found in 54 patients with psoriasis and 36 control individuals (no psoriasis, no atopic dermatitis). In relation to the control group, patients with atopic dermatitis were found to exhibit an increased concentration of sCD30 of at least 1.5-fold (p < 0.001). In addition, sCD30 concentrations were shown to correlate with the severity of the disease as measured by the score index for atopic dermatitis and different stages of disease activity, such as acute, subacute, or chronic forms, and localized or generalized distribution of atopic dermatitis. The application of topical glucocorticoid therapy for a period of 2 weeks resulted in a decrease in the level of sCD30 by 46% in 8 patients, especially in the acute, generalized form of atopic dermatitis. Psoriasis patients showed no significant differences in sCD30 levels in relation to the control group. This study demonstrates a correlation between sCD30 concentration and the activity of the disease and therefore suggests sCD30 as a prognostic marker, being superior to predictions from measurements of IgE or eosinophil cationic protein.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Successful treatment of basal cell carcinomas in a nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome with topical 5% imiquimod.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, also referred to as naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS), is an autosomal dominant skin disease with complete penetrance and inconstancy of the four major findings: multiple naevoid basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), pits on palms and soles, skeletal abnormalities (for example, jaw cysts), and ectopic calcification. The treatment of multiple BCCs is still a matter of debate. We report three cases of multiple BCCs in Gorlin-Goltz syndrome treated with topical 5% imiquimod cream, an immune response modifier. Patients were successfully cleared of BCCs after treatment for 6-8 weeks. Histologically no apparent signs of BCC-persistence could be detected and no recurrences were detected during the 12 month follow up period.

Administration, Topical↗