Biomedical subjects

H Tagami

Publications and source records attributed to H Tagami.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction is reduced in patients with psoriasis.

The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (auto-MLR) was studied to test the interactions between immunocompetent cells in patients with psoriasis. The auto-MLR in 20 patients with psoriasis was significantly lower than in 16 normal controls. Lower values were found in untreated psoriatic patients than in those in remission following treatment. The values in the latter group were significantly lower than in controls and in six patients with atopic dermatitis in remission. The tendency for an increase in the auto-MLR with a decrease in disease activity was further confirmed in five patients studied before and after treatment. In contrast, the allogeneic lymphocyte reaction (allo-MLR) in psoriatics was similar to that in normal controls.

Culture Media↗

PubMed1990

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement in psoriatic lesional skin.

The complement system may play an important role in the inflammatory reaction of psoriasis. While the classical pathway of the complement has been shown to be activated in psoriasis, there have been few reports on the involvement of the alternative pathway in the inflammatory reactions in psoriasis. Complement fragments, C4d and Bb, are released at the time of the classical and alternative pathway activation, respectively. The presence of the C4d or Bb fragment, therefore, denotes a preceding complement activation through the classical and/or alternative pathway. In the present study, we have measured the levels of C4d and Bb in psoriatic scale extracts using enzyme immunoassay techniques. The scales of these dermatoses contained higher levels of C4d and Bb detectable by enzyme immunoassay than those in the stratum corneum of noninflammatory skin. These results suggest that the alternative as well as the classical pathway of complement are activated in psoriatic lesional skin.

Complement Activation↗

PubMed1990

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in psoriasis.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a product of activated T lymphocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes, is thought to play an important role in inflammatory reactions by 'priming' or enhancing the functions of neutrophils and macrophages. The aim of this study was to determine whether GM-CSF is detectable in psoriatic lesions. No GM-CSF was detected by ELISA in the suction blister fluids raised on normal, psoriatic uninvolved or involved skin. In contrast, although we could not detect GM-CSF in most of the extracts from noninflammatory stratum corneum, it was readily detected in most of the scale extracts from psoriasis and sterile pustular dermatoses, and its level was significantly higher than that from the controls. These results suggest that in psoriasis GM-CSF may amplify and modulate inflammatory reactions and activated T cells.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Hereditary benign telangiectasia: a congenital type.

Hereditary benign telangiectasia (HBT) is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, and in all the cases reported in the past it developed after birth. We describe 3 congenital cases of HBT in the same Japanese family: a 29-year-old father and his 5-month- and 2-year-old daughters have had scattered erythematous patches of various sizes in diameter since birth.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Pigmented nail streak associated with Bowen's disease of the nail matrix.

We described a 59-year-old male physician with Bowen's disease occurring on the nail matrix of his right 5th finger. The rapid growth of the pigmented nail streak accompanied by nail deformity led us to consider the possibility of subungual melanoma clinically. Histologic features, however, were compatible with those of Bowen's disease accompanied by melanocytes with melanin-rich long dendrites in the nail matrix. We speculate that his occupational exposure to X-rays for 25 years played an important role in the pathomechanism of the present case.

Bowen's Disease↗

PubMed1990

Chronic vulvar purpura.

We described a 56-year-old Japanese woman with a long-standing asymptomatic vulvar purpuric lesion. Histological studies revealed massive hemorrhage, deposition of hemosiderin and a moderate lymphohistiocytic infiltration. We speculate that chronic intrapelvic congestion with increased venous pressure possibly due to abdominal ptosis played an important role in the pathomechanism for this persistent purpuric lesion of the vulva.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1990

Decreased levels of IL-1 alpha and beta in psoriatic lesional skin.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1), which mediates a wide range of biological activities, is thought to play an important role in many inflammatory and immunologic diseases. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes constitutively produce IL-1. Based on our previous data indicating decreased IL-1 activity in psoriatic scale extracts, in the present study, we measured immunoreactive IL-1 alpha and beta levels in the suction blister fluids as well as in the psoriatic scale extracts using enzyme immunoassay for IL-1 alpha and beta. The results showed that although similarly low levels of IL-1 alpha were detectable in the suction blister fluid from normal and psoriatic lesional skin, and that no IL-1 beta was found in most of the blister fluids, indicating that IL-1 alpha is major IL-1 species produced by human skin. As compared to those in the blister fluids, IL-1 alpha levels in the horny tissue extracts were found to be much higher, and they were significantly higher in the orthokeratotic stratum corneum extracts than in the psoriatic scale extracts. However, gel filtration of the orthokeratotic horny tissue extracts demonstrated that constituents for immunoreactive IL-1 alpha and beta were quite variable depending upon the source of the horny tissues. The present study has confirmed that IL-1 levels in the psoriatic scale extracts are decreased when compared with those in the orthokeratotic horny tissue possibly due to an increased epidermal proliferation activity associated with its high turnover rate. The role of IL-1 psoriatic lesions remains unknown.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Normal human epidermal keratinocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor.

Human epidermal keratinocytes constitutively produce a variety of cytokines, including neutrophil chemotactic peptide named epidermal cell-derived thymocyte-activating factor, which has been later confirmed to be interleukin 1 (IL-1). Because recombinant IL-1 lacks chemotactic activity, in the present study, we examined the exact nature of the neutrophil chemotactic peptide in the culture supernatant of normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes produced a neutrophil chemotactic factor, which was also chemotactic for T lymphocytes. Molecular sieve chromatography revealed an approximate molecular size of 11,000 daltons. The activity was retained after heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min, and at a pH between 4 and 11, but was partially inactivated at pH 3, or by trypsin treatment. The chemotactic activity was not inhibited by the treatment with anti-IL-1 antibody. Its production by keratinocytes was stimulated by IL-1 and lipopolysaccharide but not by UV irradiation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or by interferon-gamma. The neutrophil chemotactic activity in vivo was confirmed by the intradermal injection of the factor into guinea pigs. Blocking study with monoclonal antibodies against NAP-1/IL-8 confirmed that the neutrophil chemotactic factor is IL-8.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Adult T cell leukemia accompanied by annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma.

We report a 74-year-old Japanese patient with adult T-cell leukemia who concurrently developed annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma. Initially, itchy granulomatous lesions developed on his face, nape of the neck and dorsa of the hands, but gradually erythematous plaques appeared on the back and lower limbs. The histology of the granulomatous lesions revealed coexistence of an epithelioid cell granuloma with giant cells that phagocytosed elastic fibres in the dermis and Pautrier's microabscesses in the overlying epidermis. Subsequent sequential histological studies of an erythematous plaque revealed the development of granulomatous changes in pre-existing lymphomatous lesions. Laboratory data revealed the presence of antibody to human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus I and 14,200 white cells/mm3 in the peripheral blood with 2% atypical lymphocytes which eventually amounted to 30%, one month before his death.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Pressing and stretching of psoriatic lesions induces their involution.

Remission of psoriatic lesions was induced when the lesions were firmly pressed with a plastic cap held in place by an elastic bandage for 24 h or stretched with a negative pressure of 200 mmHg for 2 h. Seven out of 10 patients showed a clinical improvement of the treated psoriatic lesions. These lesions cleared within 1-3 weeks after removal of the apparatus. Biopsy specimens taken from responding lesions showed a reduction in psoriatic epidermal and dermal changes as compared with those taken before treatment. Patients having extensive active psoriatic lesions experienced recurrence after approx. 3 weeks. No complications were seen except for an occasional formation of erosions at sites the edges of the apparatuses were apposed too firmly.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Lack of increase in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in psoriatic skin.

Previously, we showed an elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in psoriatic skin. Granulocyte (G)-CSF, which is also released from the infiltrating cells and epidermal keratinocytes, profoundly influences the biological activities of terminally differentiated neutrophils, in addition to its supporting effects on the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells of neutrophil lineage. We have carried out enzyme immunoassay for G-CSF in suction blister fluids and horny tissue extracts from psoriatic skin. Although some samples of the blister fluids and stratum corneum extracts showed G-CSF, there were no significant differences between the concentration in normal and psoriatic skin. These results suggest that, among CSFs, GM-CSF plays a more important role than G-CSF in the local immune responses in psoriasis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma masquerading as syringoma of the scalp.

We report a case of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the scalp in a 72-year-old man. It consisted of syringomalike papules scattered on an erythematous plaque that showed a loss of hair. Histologically, the papular lesion at first showed numerous tadpole-like tubular structures similar to those found in syringoma. Subsequent histologic studies over 2 years revealed the presence of numerous cribriform tumor masses penetrating into the subcutis, reaching the galea aponeurotica. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells showed no staining with either polyclonal (P) or monoclonal (M) antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen. M-cytokeratin, M-vimentin, and P-S-100 protein antibodies were positive only focally as were other antibodies, including anti-actin, anti-human lactalbumin, anti-beta 2 microglobulin, and breast cancer--associated antigens. The neoplastic cells showed no binding to lectins that characteristically react with the sweat apparatus, except for concanavalin A (con A) and peanut agglutinin (PNA), although the striking histopathologic resemblance to syringoma suggested its histogenic relation to eccrine glands initially.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1990

Extremely extended Fournier's gangrene.

We describe a 19-year-old Japanese man with severe extensive necrotizing fasciitis that started as Fournier's gangrene to involve the external genitalia, thigh and lower abdomen. High creatine phosphokinase, transient immunosuppression (reduced serum IgG level and negative tuberculin skin test reaction) and disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred during the necrotizing fasciitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Contact sensitivity to Pityrosporum ovale in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Contact sensitivity and immediate hypersensitivity to extracts from Pityrosporum ovale were studied in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In a chamber-scarification patch test, 75 (64%) of 118 patients with AD responded positively, compared with 1 (3%) of 35 healthy volunteers. However, no significant statistical correlations were found between contact sensitivity to P ovale in patients with AD and any of the following factors: age, sex, distribution of skin lesions, presence of pruriginous papules, history of infantile seborrheic dermatitis, or concomitance of other atopic diseases. Lymphocyte transformation test with P ovale antigen confirmed that those with positive patch test reactions showed significantly high stimulation indexes. The antigenic substances divided by gel filtration high-performance liquid chromatography were found in a fraction of components with molecular weights above 60 kd. In addition, 25 (71%) of 35 patients with AD showed a positive immediate response to P ovale extract in a prick test, whereas none of 11 healthy volunteers showed any response. Although the incidence of the positive immediate responses was similar to that in contact sensitivity, there was no clear correlation between the delayed and immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Based on these results, we think that P ovale plays a role as an allergen derived from the host environment in the exacerbation of the skin lesions of AD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

A rapidly growing pigmented nail streak resulting in diffuse melanosis of the nail. A possible sign of subungual melanoma in situ.

Subungual melanomas are one of the most common types of malignant melanoma among the Japanese population. Although most pigmented nail streaks are benign and remain unchanged in their color and shape for a long time, rarely are they precursor lesions of subungual melanomas i.e., a rapid growing pigmented nail streak resulting in diffuse melanosis of the nail is thought to be an early stage of subungual melanoma in situ. We found four patients with these changes: three of these patients were children. The lesions occurred on the right index finger, right thumb, left middle finger, and right great toe, respectively. A slightly haphazard combination of colors ranging from dark brown to black, the important characteristic of subungual melanoma in situ, was observed in two cases. In the remaining two cases, although the haphazard combination of colors was not distinctive, many fine, dark longitudinal lines were seen within diffuse, light-brownish pigmentation. Serial histologic examination of the excised tissue specimens showed great proliferation of vacuolated melanocytes with variable nuclear atypicality along the entire basal layer in all cases. These histologic changes were compatible with those of atypical melanocytic hyperplasia or intraepidermal melanoma (in situ melanoma), which is an early lesion of subungual melanoma. An adult case is thought to be a definite example of a subungual melanoma in situ. We also made the diagnosis of melanoma in situ in the remaining three cases of children with rapidly growing pigmented nail streaks because their histopathologic features were distinguishable from those of the adult case. However, there remains some hesitation about this because invasive subungual melanoma is rare in children.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1989

Human oculocutaneous albinism caused by single base insertion in the tyrosinase gene.

Tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an inborn error of metabolism, characterized by a complete lack of melanin pigments in the eyes and skin. We have isolated and characterized the tyrosinase gene of one affected child (S.S.) with tyrosinase-negative OCA. Sequence analysis reveals a single-base insertion in the exon 2 that shifts the reading frame and introduces a premature termination signal (TGA codon) after the amino acid residue 298. Functional analysis of the mutated gene indicates that such a truncated tyrosinase lacking one potential copper-binding region is catalytically inactive. We therefore conclude that the albino phenotype of the patient S.S. is a consequence of the inactive tyrosinase caused by the nonsense mutation in the tyrosinase gene.

Albinism↗

PubMed1989

Functional analysis of the cDNA encoding human tyrosinase precursor.

The DNA segment harboring the promoter region and the exon 1 of the human tyrosinase gene has been cloned and characterized. Sequence analysis reveals the amino-terminal half of tyrosinase molecule including a signal peptide, of which six amino acid residues are not represented in the tyrosinase cDNA, pHT gamma 1 [Shibahara et al. (1988) Tohoku J. Exp. Med. 156, 403-414]. We therefore constructed the expression plasmid containing the human tyrosinase precursor cDNA, and introduced it into mouse amelanotic melanoma cells. Both tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa oxidase activities were expressed only in the cells transfected with such a full-length cDNA, providing direct evidence that tyrosinase actually possesses a dual catalytic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1989

Proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from psoriatic patients to T lymphocyte-stimulating cytokines (IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) and OK-432.

We have examined the effects of four well-characterized cytokines with T lymphocyte-stimulatory activity, i.e., interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, IL-4, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on [3H]-thymidine incorporation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMs) obtained from patients with psoriasis. Under the influence of these cytokines, the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into the PBMs was not different between psoriatic patients and healthy controls either in culture supplemented with pooled AB serum or with autologous serum. However, a potent immunopotentiator OK-432, which is a lyophilized preparation of penicillin-treated low virulence Su-strain of Streptococcus pyogenes group A3, induced significantly less incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into the PBMs from psoriatic patients than those from healthy controls [in both the culture supplemented with pooled AB serum (p less than 0.01) and that with autologous serum (p less than 0.01)]. This reduction in thymidine uptake was closely related to the disease activity as well as to the extent of skin lesions of the psoriatic patients. The defective immune response of PBMs from psoriatic patients to OK-432 probably reflects an abnormality at the level of interaction between monocytes and T cells or at the subsequent production and release of cytokines by them.

Adult↗