Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Mahrle.
Epithelial sheets can be cultivated from isolated epidermal cells; in this way, it is possible to increase the cell number considerably. H. Green and co-workers were the first to make use of such epithelia for the autologous covering of burn wounds. We modified this method and report on our experiences with this technique in a patient with small skin defects.
A 54-year-old woman had a six-months history of a scarring blistering disease with clinical signs of dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigoid. Direct immunofluorescence examination showed homogeneously linear deposits of IgA along the dermo-epidermal junction. Electron microscopic studies revealed blistering above and beneath the lamina densa. Referring to this new case of a scarring linear IgA disease we discuss some other forms of scarring bullous diseases in adults.
Epidermal cells taken from guinea pigs were cultured on collagen in order to study the processes comparable to reepithelialization of wounds by means of time-lapse cinematography and electron microscopy. Attachment and spreading of the cells are essential for the following cell proliferation. Immediately after seeding, the cells move in streams and rotate around their axes. Flattened cells show cytoplasmic streaming and ameboid movement as they continuously alter their shapes (10-25 microns/h). The cells actively form intercellular bridges, which favor the confluence of the cells. In the present study, the phases of attachment, intercellular association, and formation of colonies have been classified and related to the activity of the DNA synthesis, as it was indicated by 3H-thymidine incorporation.
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Nine cutaneous solitary neurofibromas have been studied using antibodies against vimentin, S 100 protein, lysozyme, myoglobin, factor VIII, neurofilament, neuron specific enolase, and myelin-associated antigen. Most of the tumor cells showed positive reactions to S 100 protein and vimentin with different patterns of staining. Whereas vimentin was detected in the cell periphery, S 100 protein was concentrated in the perinuclear area and distinct in the cytoplasm. About 60 percent of the tumor cells revealed positive staining for laminin. Myoglobin, neurofilament, and neuron specific enolase could not be proved in the tumor tissue. Our results suggest that the majority of neurofibroma cells may derive from Schwann's cells.
The effect of tar on anthralin-induced erythema was epicutaneously tested in ten patients. 3%, 5%, or 10% crude coal tar or coal tar solution was added to vaseline containing anthralin. A 5% or 10% tar preparation significantly suppressed the anthralin erythema induced by 0.5 to 1.0% anthralin having been applied for 24 hrs. In these concentrations, coal tar solution was at least as effective as coal tar itself.
A chemical-plant worker sustained hydrofluoric acid burns during cleaning procedures. Intra-arterial perfusion and intralesional injections of calcium gluconate solution prevented progression of the burns into deeper tissue layers.
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Twelve specimens of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinomas (Merkel cell tumors) available as fresh tissue were analyzed for intermediate filament (IF) expression by immunocytochemical and biochemical methods. In immunofluorescence microscopy, most cases were positive for both simple-epithelium-type cytokeratins and the neurofilament L- and M-polypeptides. Several different IF staining patterns ranging from presence of plaque-like structures (fibrous bodies) only to nearly exclusive expression of delicate cytokeratin fibrils could be distinguished. In immunoelectron microscopy the labeling for both cytokeratin and neurofilament polypeptides seemed evenly distributed among the IFs of the fibrous bodies. In primary culture, tumor cells maintained the coexpression of both IF types. Desmoplakin-positive true desmosomes were found in 5 specimens. Biochemically, cytokeratins nos. 8, 18 and, variably, 19, as well as IT protein and, in many specimens, the neurofilament L-protein and a putative neurofilament M-protein were detected. Only traces of the neurofilament H-polypeptide were found. Our results show that a coexpression of cytokeratin IFs and neurofilaments in variable patterns is a characteristic feature of cutaneous neoendocrine carcinomas; occasionally, however, neurofilaments may be very scarce. The biological, histogenetic and diagnostic implications are discussed.
To extend our initial observations that recombinant gamma-interferon (r gamma IFN) influences the growth and differentiation of normal cultured human keratinocytes, we studied the electron microscopic changes induced by r gamma IFN. Treatment of cultured human keratinocytes with 10(3) units/ml (7.1 nM) of r gamma IFN produced a shift toward an increasing percentage of attached cells that had a mature-type, differentiated appearance rather than a basal type of proliferating cell, as observed in control, untreated cultures. This report extends the number of cell types that can be influenced by r gamma IFN at the ultrastructural level and supports the notion that r gamma IFN can influence both growth and maturation of normal cultured human keratinocytes.
We report on a patient suffering from striate palmoplantar keratoderma (Wachters' type). Ultrastructural findings are presented for the first time. There was orthohyperkeratosus without alterations indicating a specific disturbance of keratinisation.
We report on a 17-year-old patient suffering from generalized verrucosis. This diagnose had been confirmed by means of light microscopy, electron microscopy, and DNA hybridisation (HPV type 2). The study of immunological parameters revealed reduced numbers of T-lymphocytes, especially of helper-T-cells. Skin tests with recall antigens were normal. Three brothers of our patient showed slight reduction of helper-T-cells. Treatment with topical retinoic acid was not effective. Treatment with alpha-interferon i.m. intralesionally was effective in the beginning, but two weeks after onset of therapy no further improvement could be achieved. Discontinuation of therapy was followed by a relapse. Tigason which was given thereafter led to flattening of the warts but failed to bring about complete regression within the following four months.
This article deals with the immediate effect of infra-red (IR) irradiation on human skin. The cutaneous response to IR significantly differed from that to polychromatic UV rays. The IR erythema showed a reticular pattern and was monophasic. Minimal erythema (ME) appeared without latency and faded a few minutes later. Induction of IR-ME required a radiation doses about 15,000 times higher (187-295 J/m2) than was needed for UVB erythema. The maximum erythema also occurred immediately after exposure to IR and faded away within one to four hours. The response was biphasic in only one of 28 test persons. Histological studies revealed dilated vessels and perivascular accumulation of degranulated mast cells.
We report on a 17-year-old patient suffering from generalized mottled hyperpigmentation and multiple telangiectatic lesions of the skin. The subcutaneous fatty tissue was lacking or deficient. The patient showed a bird-like face. The cutaneous changes had been present since birth. X-ray studies revealed acro-osteolysis of the hands and feet. The metabolic and endocrine data were within normal ranges except of latent hypothyroidism. The clinical picture presented all criteria of metageria. The patient's mother and sister showed similar cutaneous changes, however, restricted to the distal parts of the extremities. We diagnosed acrogeria Gottron. The incidence of both metageria and acrogeria in one family makes metageria as an independent entity doubtful.
Coal tar applied simultaneously showed a suppressive effect on anthralin erythema. This effect was demonstrated by an epicutaneous test 24 hours (27 patients) and 1 hour (46 patients) after application of various concentrations of anthralin combined with tar 3%. In a clinical study on 9 patients, anthralin 3% alone or combined with tar 10% were administered in a right and left comparison on symmetrical chronic psoriatic lesions for 1 hour daily. Anthralin plus tar exhibited a stronger anti-psoriatic effect than anthralin alone did. Tar reduced the anthralin erythema in the perilesional skin. These findings favor the combination of coal tar and anthralin in the 1-hour treatment schedule of psoriasis.
We report on two female patients suffering from mycosis fungoides, tumorous type but without systemic involvement, who have been treated with 400 mg Zovirax (Acyclovir) 3 times daily (about 15 mg/kg/day) for 12 days. The follow-up period amounted to 11 and 14 days, respectively. This therapy did not result in regression of the disease; one patient even showed progression of her skin tumors.
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