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Biomedical subjects

I Ghersetich

Publications and source records attributed to I Ghersetich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gamma/delta T lymphocytes in cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis.

Sections of lesional skin of 5 patients with leukocytoclastic cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis (CNV) (3 with documented infective etiology and 2 with unknow etiology) and of 5 patients with lymphocytic CNV with unknow etiology were investigated with immunoperoxidase technique. In lymphocytic CNV the dermal infiltrate was mainly constituted of CD3+, CD4+, CD1a+ and CD36+ cells. ICAM-1 and LFA-1 were strongly expressed. In leukocytoclastic CNV the infiltrate was poor of these cells in the early phase of disease, but they increased in the late phase. ICAM-1 and LFA-1 were strongly expressed in the late phase, while gamma/delta T cells and the expression of 72 kD heat shock protein were significantly present only in leukocytoclastic CNV with documented infective etiology. These results seem to suggest the role of a secondary cell-mediated immune response in the late phase of leukocytoclastic CNV, indicating gamma/delta T cells as a possible clue to the infective etiology of CNV.

Adult↗

Hyaluronic acid in cutaneous intrinsic aging.

BACKGROUND: In elderly individuals all components of the skin and subcutaneous tissue undergo histologic and ultrastructural changes. The turgidity of the dermis appears decreased, presumably due to altered patterns and levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGS), especially hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate that are the most common. A linear, age-related decrease in the content of GAGS (mainly hyaluronic acid) has been hypothesized in human aged skin. METHODS: We used the cationic dye Alcain Blue to selectively stain hyaluronic acid within the dermis in old and young subjects to compare ultrastructurally its topography and variations with age. RESULTS: We demonstrated a progressive reduction in the number of electron-dense granules of hyaluronic acid and of their filaments until they were completely absent in subjects aged 60. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the variations of the levels of hyaluronic acid in the dermis in aging could account for some of the most striking alterations of the aged skin, including decreased turgidity, less support for microvessels, wrinkling, and altered elasticity.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural study of hyaluronic acid before and after the use of a pulsed electromagnetic field, electrorydesis, in the treatment of wrinkles.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of wrinkles has become an increasing problem for dermatologists. Hyaluronic acid is a component of the family of glycosaminoglycans (GAGS, substances known for their property of retaining water), that significantly decreases with aging and in wrinkles. A new technique that uses a specific pulsed electromagnetic field, electrorydesis, has been introduced in the treatment of wrinkles associated with aging. The treatment is based on the reported in vitro effects of specific electromagnetic fields on fibroblast cultures (e.g., an increase in DNA synthesis and in the production of collagen and presumably also of GAGS). METHODS: The in vivo effects of the electromagnetic field on aged skin (3 subjects aged 50, 56 and 60 years), with particular focus on the ultrastructural modifications and GAGS amount before and after the treatment, were evaluated by electron microscope. RESULTS: The ultrastructural study (tissue stained with alcian blue) showed after treatment a significant increase (p < 0.005) of the electron-dense granules (corresponding to hyaluronic acid), located in collagen elastic fibers, and in the soluble matrix. This presumably leads to subsequent edema that was clinically evident after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the increased levels of GAGS and the subsequent edema of the dermis could explain at least in part the clinical changes observed after electrorydesis treatment (e.g., swelling and "disappearance" of the wrinkle).

Electromagnetic Fields↗

alpha-Interferon cream restores decreased levels of Langerhans/indeterminate (CD1a+) cells in aged and PUVA-treated skin.

Langerhans/indeterminate (CD1a+) cells are known for their role in stimulating T-lymphocyte-dependent immune reactions. They are normally present in the skin and are modified in a variety of different pathological and physiological events, including aging. Linear decrease of CD1a+ cells with aging (both true aging and photoaging) is considered the most important cause of reduced immunosurveillance in aged old skin of the elderly. Recently it has been suggested that alpha-interferon might have an effect on increasing levels of dendritic cells in aged and photoaged skin. We studied biopsies from the preauricular area in 15 subjects (5 subjects aged 18-21 years, 5 aged 57-75, and 5 aged 30-45 who underwent PUVA therapy, total irradiation 120 J/cm2) before and after the application of alpha-interferon cream. Our findings show that dendritic cells are significantly decreased in the 57- to 75-year-old group compared to the 8- to 21-year-old group. After PUVA therapy we also found a decrease in Langerhans cells. Our study shows that the application of alpha-interferon cream induces an increase in cutaneous CD1a+ cells and HLA-DR+ cells in both older subjects and subjects who have undergone PUVA therapy. On the basis of these results, one could hypothesize that alpha-interferon cream may have some beneficial effects on photoaging-reduced immunosurveillance.

Administration, Topical↗

Treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with topical calcipotriol: is the clinical improvement of lesional skin related to a down-regulation of some cell adhesion molecules?

Calcipotriol is demonstrably efficacious for the treatment of psoriasis by virtue of its effects on the skin's immune system and on epidermal growth. We performed this study to emphasize the difference in the expression of certain cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) (ICAM-1, ELAM-1, LFA-1, VLA-3, VLA-6) in lesional and perilesional skin of 10 patients with psoriasis, before and after treatment with topical Calcipotriol. We took two biopsies of lesional and perilesional skin from each patient before and after treatment and then performed an immunohistochemical study to observe the expression of these CAMs, utilizing monoclonal antibodies against these adhesion molecules. We noticed reduced levels of infiltrating cells along with the expression of ICAM-1, LFA-1, ELAM-1 and of CAMs VLA-3, VLA-6 in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. On the basis of these data we hypothesize that, besides epidermal keratinocytes, another target for Calcipotriol may be the skin's own immune system, suggesting that Calcipotriol can modify T lymphocyte activity (IL-1 dependent) through a down-regulation of CAMs.

Administration, Topical↗

Mesoglycan treatment restores defective fibrinolytic potential in cutaneous necrotizing venulitis.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous necrotizing venulitis (CNV) is a clinical disorder associated with segmental inflammation and fibrinoid necrosis of the dermal venules. It usually presents clinically as palpable purpura, even sometimes as nodules, bullae, ulcers, and urticarial lesions. This form, when showing as leukocytoclastic vasculitis is apparently characterized by the tissue deposition of circulating immune complexes and by reduced cutaneous (CFA) and plasma (PFA) fibrinolytic activity due to reduced release of plasminogen activator (PA) from the venular endotheliocytes. Reduced CFA and PFA cause large amounts of fibrin deposits in both intra- and perivascular areas, which are able to magnify and self perpetuate the inflammatory processes following immune complex deposition. METHODS: We have studied both the PFA and CFA potential (the maximum amount of PA released in the skin after certain stimuli) and the deposits of immunoglobulins, C3, and fibrin related antigen, before and after intradermal injection of histamine (a substance able to provoke endothelial release of PA), in three subjects affected by CNV before and 20 days after 10 mg/kg/day I.M. treatment with the fibrinolytic agent mesoglycan. RESULTS: Cutaneous fibrinolytic activity and CFA potential, reduced prior to treatment, was normal after treatment, while the deposits of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM), C3, and fibrin related antigen, detected with direct immune fluorescence (DIF) showed similar findings before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that reduced CFA may play a major role in the pathogenesis of the immunologically mediated injury in CNV. The intraperivascular deposition of fibrin is favored. The fibrinolytic agent mesoglycan seems effective in restoring defective fibrinolysis in patients affected by cutaneous necrotizing venulitis, suggesting that in cases with reduced cutaneous fibrinolytic activity (or potential) the use of a fibrinolytic agent should be considered.

Adult↗

Proteoglycans in so-called cellulite.

Glycosaminoglycans are a group of polysaccharide chains covalently linked to proteins to form proteoglycan molecules with high water-attracting properties. The ultrastructural localization of glycosaminoglycans in the so-called cellulite skin and in normal subjects was studied. Data show that there is increasing concentration of glycosaminoglycans in the cellulite skin, presumably leading to a rise in the amount of water retained in the skin in this disease.

Adipose Tissue↗

[Pityriasis rosea-like skin eruptions caused by captopril].

Captopril is an antihypertensive drug that works by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and provokes increased levels of plasma quinine. In the case here reported a picture of pityriasis rosea-like reaction is described. The frequency of the observed and reported reactions by captopril suggests a particular caution in the use of this drug.

Captopril↗