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Biomedical subjects

L Kanerva

Publications and source records attributed to L Kanerva.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic characterization of the cellular infiltrate in alopecia (areata, totalis, and universalis).

The inflammatory cell infiltrates in scalp skin of 35 patients, 20 with alopecia areata (AA), 7 with totalis, and 8 with universalis were characterized with the ANAE (alpha-naphthylacetate esterase) marker, monoclonal antibodies, and electron microscopy. As demonstrated by the ANAE staining, no clear difference in the main lymphocyte subclasses (T and B cells) or macrophages was seen between the different types of alopecia or as compared to control patients' scalp skin. However, T lymphocytes and macrophages were seen most frequently and in greater numbers perivascularly and infiltrating the hair bulb in those cases of AA where active hair loss took place. Using monoclonal OKT (OKT-3, -4, and -8) antibodies and the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method on frozen sections, a concentration of OKT-8 reactive cells (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells) was seen peribulbarly and invading the hair infundibulum. The cells affecting the hair infundibulum were further studied by electron microscopy. They could be classified into three main types: small lymphocytes (60%), macrophages (30%) and cells closely resembling large granular lymphocytes (LGL) (10%). LGL have previously been considered to be human natural killer (HNK) cells. Thus the hair follicle seems to be the target for the cellular immune response in alopecia. Whether HNK cells participate in the destruction of hair bulbs remains to be investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Lymphocytes and Langerhans cells in patch tests. An immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study.

The distribution of immunocompetent cells was analysed in allergic (nickel) and irritant (dithranol) patch tests using conventional transmission electron microscopy and labelling with monoclonal antibodies in an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase study. The biopsies were taken 24 or 48 h after the allergen/irritant application. In allergic and irritant reactions, most inflammatory cells were OKT11 positive (pan T lymphocytes). The majority of these cells were also OKT4 positive (helper/inducer T lymphocytes), while the minority were OKT8 positive (suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes). NK9 positive cells (natural killer cells) were observed in small numbers. The number of dendritic OKT6 and OKIal positive cells (Langerhans cells) in the epidermis was unaffected in allergic reactions. In irritant reactions, a normal number of OKT6 positive Langerhans cells was observed, while the number of OKIal positive cells had increased in the epidermis. Dithranol caused prominent fine structural changes in the mitochondria of the Langerhans cells, while the keratinocytes appeared largely unaffected. The present study indicates that allergic and irritant patch tests cannot be differentiated reliably using current immunohistopathological or electron microscopic techniques, in spite of the small differences observed.

Anthralin↗
PubMed1984

Study of the oral mucosa in 200 consecutive patients with psoriasis.

The oral cavities of 200 consecutive psoriasis patients, most of them with widespread disease on the skin, were examined (man/woman ratio 1.63:1, mean age of the patients 43.7 yr). The average duration of the disease at time of examination was 15.8 yr. When questioned, 16% of the patients reported changes in the joints, which, according to them, had been verified by radiography. 72.5% of the patients reported on nail involvement at some time during their disease. Fissured tongue was present in 9.5% of the patients, and geographic tongue and smooth tongue each in 1% of the patients. Angular cheilitis was found in 3.5% of the patients. In 20 out of 200 cases, the oral mucosa showed changes and biopsy was taken. Four out of 20 patients showed histologic features typical of psoriasis, including accumulations of leukocytes in the upper layers of the epithelium, all with widespread psoriasis skin involvement. Areas of oral mucosa were most often deep red in color, the buccal mucosa and tongue being the two most common sites. Two out of these four patients had a fissured tongue and one had a geographic tongue.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Ultrastructure of oral mucous membrane lesions in psoriasis.

The ultrahistopathology of six patients with psoriatic oral mucosal membrane lesions is described. Four of the patients had tongue lesions (geographic or fissured tongue) and two had lesions of the buccal mucosa. The same features were found in both types of lesions. The most prominent feature was the large number of neutrophils. Neutrophil pustules caused flattening of the keratinocytes, resulting in a sponge-like network of epithelial cells. Other features were the dilated fenestrated capillaries surrounded by neutrophils and oedema of the upper lamina propria, basal lamina gaps, basal spongiosis and keratinocyte activation. Psoriasis lesions of the oral mucosa belong to the group of diseases characterized by epithelial non-bacterial pustules.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

New observations on the fine structure of lamellar ichthyosis and the effect of treatment with etretinate.

Light and electron microscopy were used to study specimens from four patients suffering from lamellar ichthyosis. Three of these patients had been treated with etretinate for 10 months. Biopsy specimens taken from the patients before treatment showed hyperkeratosis with focal parakeratosis, a thickened granular layer in which the cellular content of tonofibrils and keratohyalin was moderately diminished, and acanthosis with increased cellular activity. During treatment with etretinate there was moderate clinical improvement. The most conspicuous microscopic change was thinning of the cornified layer. The intercellular spaces of the epidermis showed increased amounts of fine and coarse granular substance. The number of keratinosomes was increased. Stimulation of Langerhans' cells was observed. Two new ultrastructural findings in lamellar ichthyosis were discovered. First, the marginal band of the cornified layer was absent in conventional glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation. Second, the corneocytes contained electron-lucent crystals. The treatment with etretinate did not influence these structures. The mechanism of action of retinoids in lamellar ichthyosis is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Ultrastructure of pityriasis rubra pilaris with observations during retinoid (etretinate) treatment.

The light and electron microscopic structure of pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is described in five patients. Hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, keratotic plugs in the follicular openings, acanthosis and focal parakeratosis were observed. A moderate perivascular infiltrate was seen in the upper dermis. Electron microscopy revealed moderately activated keratinocytes, a decreased number of tonofilaments and desmosomes, enlarged intercellular spaces, parakeratosis with lipid-like vacuoles and a large number of keratinosomes. Lymphoid cells were present in the epidermis in moderate numbers. At the dermo-epidermal junction, the basal lamina was focally split, containing gaps. Etretinate therapy produced moderate to marked clinical improvement. The histological picture improved but the typical signs of PRP, including follicular plugging, persisted. Ultrastructurally the cellular activity and the amount of hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis decreased, while increases in keratinosomes, intercellular substance, microvilli and desmosomes were observed during treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

IgE-mediated occupational allergy to a spider mite.

Two patients who suffered from allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and contact urticaria caused by the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae, Koch) are described. Both patients worked in a greenhouse where they came in contact with both spider mites and predator mites living on bean leaves. Prick, Prausnitz-Küstner and RAST tests indicated type I allergy to spider mite but not to predator mite. Both patients had a high level (RAST score 4) of spider-mite-specific IgE in their sera. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition studies revealed no cross-reactivity between spider mite and house dust mite allergens. These results show that spider mites, which are herbivorous mites found in nature, in greenhouses and even in homes, can cause IgE-mediated allergy in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Efficacy of etretinate (Tigason) in clearing and prevention of relapse of palmoplantar pustulosis.

A total of 40 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) were initially treated with oral etretinate (Tigason) in an open trail with a maximum treatment period of 16 weeks. Remission, with only slight residual changes in some cases, was achieved in 26 patients (65%) who were randomized to either a low dose of Tigason or placebo. In the Tigason group, 7 of 11 patients were still in remission afer 6 months while in the placebo group, remission persisted in 4 of the 10 patients who stayed in the study throughout the whole 6 months' period. Alopecia led to stopping the treatment in 6 patients and desquamation of the healthy skin in 2 patients. Other side-effects were only mild. As a conclusion, Tigason shows a beneficial effect in the majority of patients with PPP and is better than placebo in preventing relapse of the disease but intolerable side-effects restrict its use in many patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Persistent ashen-gray maculae and freckles induced by long-term PUVA treatment.

Persistent ashen-gray maculae 5-7 mm in diameter and freckles developed after prolonged PUVA therapy of psoriasis. Histopathology of maculae showed extensive collections of melanophages in the upper dermis. The melanocytes were strongly stimulated at the site of the freckles. The number of melanosomes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and dendrites were increased. Pathological features such as large amounts of lipid droplets and lysosome-melanosome complexes were also found within the melanocytes.

Humans↗
PubMed1983

Pregnancy as a trigger of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

A 38-year-old woman developed epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (A-EBD) in connection with her third pregnancy. The activity of visible blistering disappeared at menopause. Direct immunofluorescence examination showed linear deposition of IgG and C'3 in the basement membrane zone. The light and electron microscopical findings of the disease were consistent with A-EBD. We assume that the bullous scarring eruption was triggered by a hormonal mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and Langerhans' cells during the course of contact allergic and irritant skin reactions in man.

The in situ distribution of lymphocyte subclasses, macrophages and Langerhans' cells was analysed with histochemical (ANAE staining), immunohistochemical (immunoperoxidase) and electron microscopic methods during the course of epicutaneous allergic and irritant skin reactions. Serial biopsies were taken during the first 5-72 hours following the allergen (nickel and chromium) or irritant (non-anoic acid and dithranol) application. Empty and petrolatum-filled Finn chambers were used as controls. No significant differences in the number of mononuclear inflammatory cells or their subclasses were found in the early recognition and elicitation phases of the allergic or irritant-induced reactions. Nor was there any difference in the frequency of lymphocyte-Langerhans' cell contacts, although exocytic cells were most frequent in dithranol reactions.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1983

Ultrastructure of uninvolved oral mucosa in pemphigus patients.

The uninvolved oral mucosa of seven pemphigus patients was compared with that of age- and sex-matched controls. Three patients had pemphigus erythematodes, two had pemphigus vulgaris, one had pemphigus foliaceus, and one pemphigus vegetans. Five out of seven pemphigus patients demonstrated wider intercellular spaces than the controls. This difference was seen in both basal and spinous epithelial cell layers and was more pronounced in the basal cell layer. There were fewer desmosomes and microvilli than in the controls. It appears that ultrastructural changes in pemphigus also occur in the uninvolved oral mucosa of pemphigus patients.

Adult↗