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Summary: Background: The association of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) with a variety of diseases has been described, especially with various autoimmune diseases. However, there are few studies on the association between HLA and pityriasis rosea (PR). Aim: To investigate the relevance of HLA II alleles with the development of PR. Methods: Typing for HLA‐DRB1, HLA‐DQA1 and HLA‐DQB1 typing was performed in 55 patients with PR and 90 healthy controls (HCs), using sequence‐based typing (SBT) and PCR with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP), respectively. Results: We found that the frequency of HLA‐DQB1*03:03 was significantly higher in the PR compared with the HC group [P = 0.001; relative risk (RR) = 2.24; 95% CI 1.38–3.6], while suggestive evidence for a protective effect of HLA‐DQB1*06:06 was observed in the study cohort (P < 0.02; RR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.17–0.90). Conclusions: The HLA‐DQB1*03:03 allele may be a susceptible factor in patients with PR. In addition, the association of HLA‐DQB1*03:03 with PR suggests participation of immunity in the pathogenesis of PR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Psoriasis is one of the most common immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disorders. In spite of significant advances in the treatment of psoriasis, more effective and safer therapeutic strategies are still needed. Photodynamic therapy ( PDT) is a method of light treatment that is being used increasingly in the treatment of dermatological diseases. Aim To evaluate the therapeutic effects of systemic 5-aminolaevulinic acid ( ALA)- PDT on psoriasis and to explore its potential mechanism of action. Methods We investigated the therapeutic effects of systemic ALA- PDT in K14-vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) transgenic homozygous mice, an animal model of psoriasis, which has many clinical and histopathological characteristics similar to those of human psoriasis. Using haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR respectively, we assessed the changes in psoriasis-like lesions, cellular infiltration of T cells, dendritic cells ( DCs) and neutrophils, and the mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin ( IL)-17 and interferon ( IFN)-γ in the lesions. Results Systemic ALA- PDT blocked the development of psoriasis-like lesions and moderately attenuated the histopathological changes in K14- VEGF transgenic mice. Furthermore, systemic ALA- PDT produced an obvious reduction in infiltration of T cells, CD11c+ DCs and neutrophils in psoriasis-like lesions. In addition, systemic ALA- PDT also significantly decreased the mRNA expression of IL-17 and IFN-γ. Conclusions We suggest that the mechanism of systemic ALA- PDT in this psoriasis-like model might be associated with selective damage to abnormal T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells, and reduction of the inflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IFN-γ. These observations partly explain the potential mechanism of systemic ALA- PDT in psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tumour necrosis factor ( TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis ( TWEAK) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, which is closely associated with the pathogenesis of various types of cutaneous vasculitis ( CV). Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of an anti- TWEAK monoclonal antibody ( mAb) in a mouse model of cutaneous reverse passive Arthus ( RPA) reaction. Methods Cutaneous RPA reaction was induced in BALB/c mice by intradermal injection of anti-ovalbumin IgG into the left ear followed immediately by intravenous injection of chicken ovalbumin. After treatment, haemorrhagic lesions in the mouse skin were scored semiquantitatively. The amount of extravasated fluorescein isothiocyanate ( FITC)-labelled bovine serum albumin ( BSA) in the ears was detected spectrophotometrically. Expression of myeloperoxidase ( MPO) was detected by immunohistochemical staining, while mRNA expression of TNF-α and interleukin ( IL)-6 in lesional skin was detected by real-time quantitative (q) PCR. Results Our results indicated that anti- TWEAK mAb significantly attenuated the clinical and histopathological changes in immune complex ( IC)-induced mice, and also reduced the semiquantitative haemorrhage score, FITC-labelled BSA extravasation and MPO activity. Real-time qPCR showed that anti- TWEAK mAb significantly inhibited mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in lesional skin from IC-induced mice. Conclusion These data suggest that anti- TWEAK mAb can block vascular damage and leucocyte infiltration in IC-induced mice. TWEAK might be a candidate immunotherapeutic medicine for suppression of IC-induced CV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Damage to melanocytes induced by oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. A polyphenol found in green tea, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate ( EGCG), exhibits certain antioxidative effects in the treatment of various diseases. The major problem that limits the clinical application of this polyphenol is its low bioavailability and stability. Peracetylated EGCG (Ac EGCG), a fully acetylated derivative of EGCG, is more stable and bioavailable than EGCG, but the effects of its action on human epidermal melanocytes have not been elucidated. Aim To compare the protective effects of Ac EGCG and EGCG on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage to human melanocytes. Methods Effects of AcEGCG and EGCG on human melanocytes were examined by measuring cell viability, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm)and protein levels of caspase-9, caspase-3 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Results Both Ac EGCG and EGCG decreased ROS generation, restored lost mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced H2O2-induced apoptosis in melanocytes. All of these effects were more pronounced with Ac EGCG than with EGCG. Furthermore, Ac EGCG effectively suppressed H2O2-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, which has been suggested to contribute to melanocyte damage. Conclusions Ac EGCG is a more potent agent than EGCG for protection of melanocytes from oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. H2O2 accumulating in the epidermis contributes to the melanocyte damage characteristic of vitiligo. Removal of H2O2 by antioxidants is thus considered beneficial for patients with vitiligo. Aim. To investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanism of bilobalide, the main terpenoid constituent of Ginkgo biloba extract, against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in normal human melanocytes. Methods. Effects of bilobalide on melanocytes were investigated by measuring cell viability, heat shock protein (Hsp)70 release and levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results. Pretreatment of melanocytes with bilobalide for 24 h significantly inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis, Hsp70 release and intracellular ROS increase in a dosedependent manner. Bilobalide pretreatment increased the level of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)1 mRNA in melanocytes. Although bilobalide moderately increased the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2, α subunit (eIF2α), suggesting its role in stimulating unfolded protein response signalling pathways, it also blocked the induction of anti-C/EBP homologous protein expression by H2O2. Conclusion. This study indicates for the first time that bilobalide protects human melanocytes from oxidative damage by inhibiting H2O2-induced apoptosis and suppressing autoimmune response to melanocytes through reducing Hsp70 release. Instead of working as an ROS scavenger, bilobalide promotes the expression of antioxidases including CAT and GPx1, and inhibits H2O2-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress to protect melanocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the study on a Chinese family with its four generation and found the family members that are affected with familial progressive hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation (FPHH) wherein two members has no kit ligand (KITLG) mutation.

The article presents the case study of 47-year-old proband born with normal hair. It mentions that his hair growth was slow and the patient had hair loss at 12 years old. It states that patient’s scalp was greasier as compared to other parts. His physical and mental test with blood tests has normal results.