Search

Autologous cell-based therapy using dermal sheath cup (DSC) cells was reported as a new treatment for male and female pattern hair loss. However, the mechanisms underlying its action remain unclear. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of DSC cells in cell-based therapy. We conducted multivariate analysis to categorize individuals based on treatment response as responders and non-responders. The differentially expressed genes in DSC cells from the two groups were evaluated using bulk transcriptome, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and single-cell transcriptome analyses. We performed live cell imaging combined with immunostaining to characterize the DSC subpopulation associated with responders. We identified nine and three genes as high efficacy (HE) and low efficacy (LE) marker genes, respectively. The HE subpopulations were enriched for cell migration-related genes in single-cell analysis. In contrast, the LE subpopulation was enriched for basement membrane and vasculature-related genes. Moreover, DSC cells in culture were immunocytochemically and morphologically heterogeneous, expressing characteristic factors. Furthermore, live cell imaging showed that DSC cells expressing integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6), an HE subpopulation gene, had markedly higher mobility than those expressing the LE subpopulation genes collagen type IV or CD36. ITGA6-positive DSC cells, with superior migratory activity, may contribute to cell-based therapy by promoting cell migration into nearby hair follicles. • Analyzed clinical results of cell therapy for PHL with multivariate analysis. • Identified differentially expressed genes between responders and non-responders. • Identified clinical efficacy-associated subpopulation by single cell analysis. • This subpopulation expressed integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6). • ITGA6 + subpopulation had high migratory activity contributing to PHL cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to cause cervical cancer. Because it has been detected in lesions of Bowenoid papulosis, Bowen's disease, and Bowen's carcinoma, HPV infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Methods A 44-year-old man was diagnosed clinicopathologically with Bowen's carcinoma of the right great toe. He developed multiple organ metastases and died. We examined HPV DNA in skin biopsy specimens from the primary and skin metastatic lesions by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). The PCR assay was carried out using primer sets specifically designed for detecting the E6 and E7 genes of the HPV types associated with malignancy. Purified and cloned PCR products were subjected to DNA sequence analysis. The ISH studies used INFORM® HPV III probes. Results We found HPV DNA in specimens from both the primary and the skin metastatic lesions. DNA sequencing detected HPV type 16. We compared the base sequences of viral DNA from the primary and metastatic lesions. Point mutations of the base sequences of the E6 and E7 genes were observed in viral DNA from metastases but not in that from primary lesions. The E6 gene had mutated from G to A in the 383rd base sequence, causing a Glu-to-Lys amino acid change. Results of ISH showed punctuate signals in the nuclei of tumor cells. Conclusions We suspect an association between HPV 16 infection and the development of this malignant occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]