31 results on '"Ruocco, V"'
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2. The role of skin trauma (isotopic and isomorphic) in the distribution of morphea.
- Author
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Wolf R, Wolf D, Ruocco V, and Ruocco E
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- Female, Humans, Male, Scleroderma, Localized etiology, Skin injuries
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. The immunocompromised district: How the pieces of the puzzle gradually fell into place.
- Author
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Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Concept Formation, Humans, Immunocompromised Host, Skin immunology
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
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4. Alterations of skin innate immunity in lymphedematous limbs: Correlations with opportunistic diseases.
- Author
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Baroni A, Buommino E, Piccolo V, Chessa MA, Russo T, Cozza V, and Ruocco V
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- Humans, Extremities, Immunity, Innate, Immunocompromised Host, Lymphedema immunology, Skin immunology
- Abstract
Lymphedematous areas are sites of regional immune destabilization depicting a typical example of an immunocompromised cutaneous district (ICD). This study evaluates the expression of some components of the skin innate immunity on lymphedematous limbs with the aim to clarify some facets of the ICD. Patients selected underwent two skin biopsies: One was obtained from the limb affected by lymphedema, another from the contralateral healthy limb. Expression of some components of the skin innate immunity was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Stronger gene expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), human β-defensin 2 (HBD-2), desmoglein 1, desmoglein 3, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) was found in keratinocytes derived from the affected limb compared with that of keratinocytes derived from contralateral healthy limb. Downregulation of survivin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) gene expression was found in the affected limbs. No induction of IL-1α and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was detectable in keratinocyte cultures obtained from both lymphedematous and normal limbs. Different phases and components of skin innate immunity turned out to be altered in the lymphedematous sites. Molecular alterations were similar in all patients recruited in the study. These changes might favor the local appearance or progression of opportunistic diseases such as tumors, infections, and immune-mediated skin disorders., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.)
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. The immunocompromised district in dermatology: A unifying pathogenic view of the regional immune dysregulation.
- Author
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Ruocco V, Ruocco E, Piccolo V, Brunetti G, Guerrera LP, and Wolf R
- Subjects
- Humans, Dermatology, Immunocompromised Host, Skin immunology, Skin physiopathology, Skin Diseases immunology
- Abstract
Besides the systemic immune deficiency, a sectorial default in immune control may occur in immunocompetent subjects. This regional immune defect can appear and remain confined to differently damaged skin areas, lately labeled immunocompromised districts (ICDs). An ICD is a skin area more vulnerable than the rest of the body for genetic or acquired reasons. Its vulnerability mainly consists in a local dysregulation of the immune control, which often facilitates (but sometimes hinders) the local onset of immunity-related eruptions or skin disorders. The factors responsible for localized immune dysregulation are multifarious, being represented by chronic lymphatic stasis, herpetic infections, ionizing or ultraviolet (UV) radiations, burns, all sorts of trauma (especially amputation), tattooing, intradermal vaccinations, and others of disparate nature (eg, paralytic stroke, poliomyelitis). Whatever the cause, in time an ICD may become a vulnerable site, prone to developing opportunistic infections, tumors, or dysimmune reactions (often of granulomatous type), strictly confined to the district itself; however, the opposite may also occur with systemic immune disorders or malignancies that selectively spare the district. In any case, the immunologic behavior of an ICD is different from that of the rest of the body. The pathomechanisms involved in this sectorial immune destabilization may reside in locally hampered lymph drainage that hinders the normal trafficking of immunocompetent cells (eg, chronic lymphedema, posttraumatic lymph stasis) or in a damage to sensory nerve fibers that release immunity-related peptides (eg, herpetic infections, carpal tunnel syndrome), or in both conditions (eg, amputation stump, radiation dermatitis). The ICD is a conceptual entity with no definite shape or dimension. It may take an extremely variable form and extent depending on the causative agent, ranging from a minimal area (eg, intradermal vaccination) or a small area (eg, herpes simplex infection), through a wide area (eg, radiotherapy), a bandlike segment (eg, skin mosaicism, herpes zoster infection), or an acral area (eg, carpal tunnel syndrome), up to a whole limb (eg, Stewart-Treves syndrome) or even an entire half body (eg, brain stroke). Varied newly coined terminology can be used to indicate the specific cause each time that it is responsible for a regional immune dysregulation. The advantage of the umbrella term ICD is that it encompasses all the possible causes involved in a local immune destabilization. An ICD may have a congenital or a postnatal origin, and interesting similarities between the two forms exist. An ICD may also take place in patients with a preexisting systemic immune deficiency, thus creating a more vulnerable site in an already vulnerable patient. Identifying a cutaneous ICD in a given patient is an important standpoint for both diagnostic and prevention purposes. This can be proven by the educative clinical examples that are reported here., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
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6. Beyond zoster: sensory and immune changes in zoster-affected dermatomes: a review*.
- Author
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Ruocco V, Sangiuliano S, Brunetti G, and Ruocco E
- Subjects
- Herpes Zoster complications, Herpes Zoster immunology, Herpes Zoster pathology, Humans, Neuralgia, Postherpetic immunology, Neuralgia, Postherpetic virology, Pruritus immunology, Pruritus virology, Sensation Disorders immunology, Sensation Disorders virology, Sensory Receptor Cells pathology, Skin immunology, Skin innervation, Skin pathology, Herpes Zoster virology, Herpesvirus 3, Human pathogenicity, Sensory Receptor Cells virology, Skin virology
- Abstract
Neuroepidermal tropism of varicella-zoster virus accounts for cutaneous and nerve lesions following herpes zoster. Skin lesions heal in a few weeks and may or may not leave visible scars. Nerve lesions involve peripheral sensory fibres, sometimes causing permanent damage that results in partial denervation of the affected dermatome. The effects of the nerve injury involve the sensibility function, thus causing neuralgia, itch, allodynia, hypo- or anaesthesia, as well as the immune function that is related to neuropeptide release, thus altering immune control in the affected dermatome. The neuro-immune destabilization in the zoster-infected site paves the way for the onset of many and various immunity-related disorders along the affected dermatome.
- Published
- 2012
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7. Opportunistic localization of skin lesions on vulnerable areas.
- Author
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Ruocco V, Ruocco E, Brunetti G, Sangiuliano S, and Wolf R
- Subjects
- Chronic Disease, Herpesviridae Infections genetics, Herpesviridae Infections physiopathology, Humans, Immunocompromised Host, Lymphedema genetics, Lymphedema physiopathology, Lymphedema virology, Mosaicism, Skin chemistry, Skin virology, Skin Diseases immunology, Skin Diseases virology, Skin Physiological Phenomena genetics, Skin injuries, Skin Diseases pathology
- Abstract
Genetic, developmental, and immune defects can make certain anatomic areas of the body more prone than others to harbor skin lesions. Cutaneous areas with skin barrier dysfunction (eg, atopic dermatitis) are the clearest example of vulnerable sites where opportunistic diseases, mainly infections (eg, herpes simplex), can easily occur. Somatic mosaicism, by giving rise to mutated cell clones with a bandlike arrangement, may form tissue segments prone to developing congenital or acquired skin disorders. Cutaneous districts that have been infected by herpes viruses become sites permissive for a subsequent onset of heterogeneous skin disorders, mainly tumors, further infections, and disimmune reactions (Wolf isotopic response). Regional lymphedema, by impairing lymph circulation and consequently the local immune control, favors the location of immunity-related lesions in the involved district. A vast series of skin injuries, such as ionizing or ultraviolet radiation, burns, traumas, and even vaccinations, can render the affected areas vulnerable to subsequent cutaneous disorders. Lack of immune control, ensuing from locally altered neuroimmune interaction, may be the basic defect responsible for the opportunistic location of skin lesions in herpes-infected, lymphedematous, or otherwise damaged areas, together featuring the novel concept of "immunocompromised district.", (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
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8. Vesicular and bullous disorders: pemphigus.
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Baroni A, Lanza A, Cirillo N, Brunetti G, Ruocco E, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Cholinergic Antagonists therapeutic use, Desmoglein 1 immunology, Desmoglein 3 immunology, Humans, Immunologic Tests, Receptors, Cholinergic immunology, Signal Transduction physiology, Skin immunology, Autoantibodies physiology, Immunosuppressive Agents therapeutic use, Pemphigus diagnosis, Pemphigus drug therapy, Pemphigus etiology, Pemphigus immunology, Receptors, Cholinergic physiology, Skin physiopathology
- Abstract
Pemphigus is a chronic, autoimmune disease involving the skin and Malpighian mucous membranes. Pemphigus leads to progressive blistering and subsequent erosions. This article describes the etiology and treatment of pemphigus.
- Published
- 2007
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9. Crohn's disease and its mucocutaneous involvement.
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Ruocco E, Cuomo A, Salerno R, Ruocco V, Romano M, and Baroni A
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- Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use, Anti-Inflammatory Agents therapeutic use, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents therapeutic use, Intestines pathology, Mouth pathology, Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein genetics, Risk Factors, Skin Diseases etiology, Crohn Disease complications, Crohn Disease genetics, Crohn Disease pathology, Crohn Disease therapy, Mucous Membrane pathology, Skin pathology
- Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the lower gastrointestinal tract but potentially involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, and eyes. The origin remains unknown, although diverse etiologic agents have been proposed. Characteristic pathologic appearances include the formation of "skip" lesions (discrete regions of inflamed bowel separated by uninvolved mucosae), aphthous ulceration, and fistulation; these signs relate to the presence of an underlying granulomatous transmural inflammation. Cutaneous and oral lesions frequently occur in CD. They may be classified as specific manifestations (in particular, perianal fissures, abscesses, sinuses, and fistulae in ano) with a granulomatous noncaseating inflammation on histologic examination, and nonspecific manifestations (eg, erythema nodosum, neutrophilic dermatoses) with a nonspecific histologic pattern. The diagnosis of CD is based on clinical, endoscopic, radiologic, and histopathologic features. Therapy is mainly aimed at the control of the acute disease and prevention of relapse through the use of mesalazine, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and very recently, anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibodies.
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- 2007
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10. Beneficial long-term effects of combined oral/topical antioxidant treatment with the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin on human skin: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
- Author
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Palombo P, Fabrizi G, Ruocco V, Ruocco E, Fluhr J, Roberts R, and Morganti P
- Subjects
- Administration, Cutaneous, Administration, Oral, Adult, Antioxidants administration & dosage, Antioxidants pharmacokinetics, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Lipid Metabolism drug effects, Lipid Peroxidation drug effects, Lutein administration & dosage, Lutein pharmacokinetics, Middle Aged, Skin metabolism, Skin radiation effects, Ultraviolet Rays adverse effects, Xanthophylls administration & dosage, Xanthophylls pharmacokinetics, Zeaxanthins, Antioxidants therapeutic use, Lutein therapeutic use, Skin drug effects, Xanthophylls therapeutic use
- Abstract
Background: The skin is exposed to numerous environmental assaults that can lead to premature aging. Of these agents, perhaps none is more ubiquitous than the ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths of sunlight. The primary immediate defense against environmental skin damage is the antioxidant capacity of the skin. However, this defense system can be compromised by moderate exposure to UV light. Therefore, bolstering the antioxidant defense system of the skin is a potentially important strategy for reducing environmentally induced skin damage., Aim of the Study: This clinical trial was designed to study the efficacy of lutein and zeaxanthin, two potentially important antioxidants found naturally in the skin, upon five skin physiology parameters (surface lipids, hydration, photoprotective activity, skin elasticity and skin lipid peroxidation - malondialdehyde) of human subjects. These xanthophyllic carotenoids were administered either orally, topically, or in combination (both oral and topical routes)., Results: The results obtained indicate that the combined oral and topical administration of lutein and zeaxanthin provides the highest degree of antioxidant protection. However, oral and topical administration of these antioxidants individually also provides significant activity in the skin. In addition, oral administration of lutein may provide better protection than that afforded by topical application of this antioxidant when measured by changes in lipid peroxidation and photoprotective activity in the skin following UV light irradiation., (Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.)
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
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11. Isomorphic versus isotopic response: data and hypotheses.
- Author
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Wolf R, Lotti T, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Humans, Skin Neoplasms pathology, Dermatology, Psoriasis pathology, Skin pathology
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
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12. Isotopic response after herpesvirus infection: an update.
- Author
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Ruocco V, Ruocco E, Ghersetich I, Bianchi B, and Lotti T
- Subjects
- Humans, Neuropeptides, Herpesviridae Infections complications, Skin immunology, Skin innervation, Skin Diseases complications
- Abstract
The term postherpetic isotopic response describes the occurrence of a new, unrelated disease that appears at the same location as a previously healed herpetic infection. When dealing with the pathogenetic mechanism involved in the isotopic response, several possibilities should be considered: a viral origin, an immunologic origin, a vascular origin, and a neural origin. The aim of this article is to review and discuss the different pathogenetic mechanisms with particular attention to new information related to the possible neural origin of this abnormal response of the skin.
- Published
- 2002
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13. Uptake of Malassezia furfur by human dermal fibroblasts: effect of ketoconazole and cytoskeleton inhibitors.
- Author
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Baroni A, Perfetto B, Paoletti I, De Martino L, Buommino E, Ruocco E, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Antifungal Agents pharmacology, Cells, Cultured, Cytochalasin D pharmacology, Cytoskeleton drug effects, Cytoskeleton ultrastructure, Humans, Ketoconazole pharmacology, Microscopy, Electron, Skin cytology, Colchicine pharmacology, Fibroblasts microbiology, Fibroblasts physiology, Malassezia physiology, Mycoses microbiology, Skin microbiology, Skin Physiological Phenomena
- Abstract
We showed the ability of human dermal fibroblasts to take up Malassezia furfur and the effect of ketoconazole and cytoskeleton inhibitors, including cytochalasin D and colchicine, on invasivity. Engulfment was evaluated by May Grunwald Giemsa stain and confirmed by acridine orange staining and electron microscopy. Both revealed the different steps of engulfment, including a fusion event between lysosomes and phagosomes containing M. furfur. Subinhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole (5 microg/ml) reduced the invasive capacity compared to controls (52.0+/-6.3 vs 10.0+/-1.2). M. furfur induced changes in the cytoskeleton of human dermal fibroblasts, with signs of disaggregation of actin fibres. We also studied the effect of the cytoskeleton inhibitors, cytochalasin D (1 microg/ml) and colchicine (1 microg/ml), on engulfment. Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymers, inhibited the uptake of M. furfur by human dermal fibroblasts. Colchicine, a microtubule inhibitor, reduced the uptake of M. furfur less markedly. This suggests that the process of engulfment is F-actin-dependent, but the integrity of microtubules is also important in "non-professional" phagocytic cells such as dermal fibroblasts.
- Published
- 2001
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14. Detection of herpesvirus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin lesions of patients with pemphigus by polymerase chain reaction.
- Author
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Tufano MA, Baroni A, Buommino E, Ruocco E, Lombardi ML, and Ruocco V
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- Adult, Aged, Antibodies, Viral blood, Child, Female, Herpesviridae immunology, Herpesvirus 4, Human isolation & purification, Herpesvirus 6, Human isolation & purification, Histocompatibility Testing, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Simplexvirus isolation & purification, DNA, Viral analysis, Herpesviridae isolation & purification, Leukocytes, Mononuclear virology, Pemphigus virology, Skin virology
- Abstract
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease where both endogenous (genetic) and exogenous (environmental) factors play a part. Viral infections, in particular herpesvirus infections, have been identified as a possible triggering factor for pemphigus. In this study, using the polymerase chain reaction, we studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and skin biopsies from patients with pemphigus, and in some of these were able to demonstrate the presence of DNA sequences of herpes simplex virus 1/2 (50% in PBMC and 71% in skin biopsies), Epstein-Barr virus (15% in PBMC and 5% in skin biopsies) and human herpesvirus 6 (20% in PBMC only). However, the inability to detect herpesvirus DNA consistently in these cases suggests that viral infection may only be an occasional factor triggering the outbreak or exacerbation of the disease. The possible role of interferons and interleukins in the pathogenesis of virus-induced pemphigus is discussed.
- Published
- 1999
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15. The in vitro effect of hydroxychloroquine on skin morphology in psoriasis.
- Author
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Wolf R, Schiavo AL, Lombardi ML, de Angelis F, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Culture Techniques, Dermis drug effects, Dermis pathology, Epidermis drug effects, Epidermis pathology, Humans, Keratinocytes cytology, Keratinocytes drug effects, Keratinocytes pathology, Keratins drug effects, Keratins metabolism, Melanins metabolism, Psoriasis pathology, Skin pathology, Skin physiopathology, Antimalarials pharmacology, Hydroxychloroquine pharmacology, Psoriasis physiopathology, Skin drug effects
- Abstract
Background: In earlier papers, we suggested that the aggravation of psoriasis by antimalarial drugs (analogous to hypolipidemic drugs) could be initiated by a break in the epidermal barrier. We suggested that these drugs exerted their effect by inhibiting epidermal transglutaminase activity, and supported this hypothesis by demonstrating the effect of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQS) on the morphology of cultured skin and on liver transglutaminase activity. In the present article, we describe, for the first time, the morphologic changes induced by HCQS on cultured skin of psoriatic patients., Methods: Uninvolved (apparently normal) skin explanted from the back of two psoriatic patients was cultured in the presence of 9.2 and 13.8 mM of HCQS for 3 days. The morphologic changes were evaluated in a blind manner. The experiment was repeated twice., Results: Significant changes in the epidermal morphology of psoriatic skin cultured in the presence of HCQS, compared with skin cultured without the presence of the drug, were observed. The most striking changes were enhanced and irregular keratinization and dermo-epidermal detachment and cleft formation. No parakeratosis or other characteristics of psoriasis were observed., Conclusions: The first changes caused by HCQS on the cultured skin of psoriatic patients are not characteristic of psoriasis, and include hyperproliferation and enhanced and irregular keratinization. The present experimental study gives further support to the hypothesis that HCQS causes an initial break in the barrier function of the epidermis (probably by inhibiting transglutaminase activity), which is followed by a physiologic response of the epidermis aimed at barrier restoration. This rather nonspecific stimulus to epidermal proliferation is probably sufficient to trigger psoriasis, in vivo, among genetically predisposed patients.
- Published
- 1999
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16. Pemphigus and pemphigoid-like effects of nifedipine on in vitro cultured normal human skin explants.
- Author
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Brenner S, Ruocco V, Bialy-Golan A, Tur E, Flaminio C, Ruocco E, and Lombardi ML
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- Aged, Calcium Channel Blockers toxicity, Cells, Cultured, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Nifedipine toxicity, Pemphigus pathology, Skin pathology, Calcium Channel Blockers adverse effects, Nifedipine adverse effects, Pemphigus chemically induced, Skin drug effects
- Abstract
Background: A variety of drugs have been implicated in the onset and exacerbation of pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. The demonstration of biochemical acantholysis in skin explants to various drugs in the absence of autoantibodies, in which the tested drugs evoke a biochemical reaction that leads to desmosomal function loss, may be a valuable adjunct to patient management by confirming the suspicion of drug-related pemphigus or bullous pemphigoid., Objective: To determine whether a skin explant model might serve as a possible in vitro correlate of drug-induced pemphigus and pemphigoid-like effects related to the calcium channel blocker nifedipine., Methods: Normal human breast skin obtained from nonpemphigus and nonpemphigoid patients undergoing mastectomy was cultured with nifedipine at final concentrations of 2, 4, and 8 mM. The drug effect on skin explants evidenced by morphologic changes was evaluated by microscopy by three observers., Results: Five out of seven explants cultured with nifedipine at concentrations ranging from 2 to 8 mM exhibited obvious morphologic changes of two types: intraepithelial (or pemphigus-type) splittings and subepithelial (or pemphigoid-type) splittings. Two explants showed no acantholysis and no subepithelial splittings. Control cultures without polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG) showed no changes. Skin control samples cultured in medium supplemented with 10% PEG displayed vacuolar degeneration throughout the entire epidermis, but no sign of cell-cell dyshesion or dermo-epidermal detachment., Conclusions: A type of skin susceptibility to nifedipine may be genetically determined, with some nifedipine-treated patients developing an acantholytic reaction and others a subepidermal bullous eruption.
- Published
- 1999
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17. Effects of gemfibrozil on in vitro cultured normal human skin explants.
- Author
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Wolf R, Lo Schiavo A, Russo A, de Angelis F, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Cells, Cultured, Female, Humans, Skin pathology, Gemfibrozil pharmacology, Hypolipidemic Agents pharmacology, Skin drug effects
- Abstract
Background: Several lipid-lowering agents, when given topically, show a profound effect on skin morphology. Because of low bioavailability of these drugs for keratinocytes, the incidence is extremely low clinically. The most appropriate way to study the effect of hypolipidemic drugs on keratinocytes is by artificial exposure of the skin to high drug concentrations., Objective: To study the effects of gemfibrozil on the morphology of in vitro cultured normal human skin explants. As gemfibrozil induces barrier disruption by inhibiting epidermal sterologenesis, essential for a competent permeability barrier, it is interesting to investigate the morphologic changes associated with this phenomenon. Studying the epidermal changes induced by lipid-lowering agents is important, not only because it might lead to a better understanding of the effects of these drugs on keratinocytes, but as it might also unlock the door to a wider knowledge of the pathomechanism of disorders of cornification., Methods: Normal human skin from patients undergoing mastectomy was cultured in the presence of 2, 5, and 10 mM of gemfibrozil for 4 days The morphologic changes were evaluated by three blinded observers. Their reports were matched and collated., Results: The cultured skin in the presence of gemfibrozil showed cell crowding of keratinocytes in the lower part of the epidermis, indicating epidermal hyperplasia and increased proliferation. Intercellular edema with the formation of small cavities in the epidermis, intracellular edema, and vacuolar alteration of keratinocytes in the upper portion of the epidermis were also observed. The intensity of these changes tended to parallel the gemfibrozil concentration. Some dermo-epidermal detachments did not correlate with the gemfibrozil concentration, but rather with tissue characteristics peculiar to each explant., Conclusions: The morphologic changes caused by gemfibrozil to normal human skin were not characteristic of psoriasis, and included intracellular and intercellular edema in the upper portion of the epidermis and cell crowding, indicating epidermal hyperplasia in the lower portion of the epidermis. The present experimental study gives further support to the hypothesis that hypolipidemic drugs cause an initial break in the barrier function of the epidermis, followed by a physiologic epidermal response, aimed at barrier restoration. This rather nonspecific stimulus to epidermal proliferation may trigger psoriasis in predisposed patients.
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- 1999
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18. Smoking and the skin, radically speaking.
- Author
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Wolf R, Wolf D, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Female, Free Radicals adverse effects, Free Radicals metabolism, Humans, Male, Skin Diseases physiopathology, Skin metabolism, Skin Diseases etiology, Smoking adverse effects
- Published
- 1998
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19. Different patterns of in vitro acantholysis in normal human skin samples explanted from different sites of the body.
- Author
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Ruocco V, Brenner S, Ruocco E, de Angelis F, and Lombardi ML
- Subjects
- Acantholysis physiopathology, Adult, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors administration & dosage, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors pharmacology, Back, Buttocks, Culture Techniques, Cystamine administration & dosage, Cystamine pharmacology, Enalapril administration & dosage, Enalapril pharmacology, Enzyme Inhibitors administration & dosage, Enzyme Inhibitors pharmacology, Female, Humans, Pemphigus physiopathology, Skin pathology, Skin physiopathology, Acantholysis chemically induced, Skin drug effects
- Abstract
Background: The factors that contribute to a preferential anatomic localization of pemphigus lesions are not well known. In particular, the question arises as to whether certain skin areas may be more acantholysis-prone than others., Objective: To verify whether, in pemphigus patients, a different susceptibility to acantholysis exists among different cutaneous regions, the technique of tissue cultures was used., Methods: Normal human skin explants from two distinct anatomic regions (back and buttocks) of two former pemphigus patients were cultured in vitro in the presence of enalapril (6 mM) or cystamine (10 mM), two substances with a proven biochemical acantholytic effect. After 4 days of culture, the tissues were processed for standard histology., Results: Diffuse acantholysis, with large intraepidermal splits, was observed in the explants taken from the backs of both subjects and cultured with either enalapril or cystamine. Mild to moderate acantholytic changes were detected in the explants taken from the buttocks of both subjects and cultured with either enalapril or cystamine. No structural changes were seen in the control cultures., Conclusions: Pemphigus patients present different thresholds of acantholysis in different areas of their bodies. This might explain, at least in part, certain preferential anatomic localizations of pemphigus lesions.
- Published
- 1998
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20. The in vitro effect of hydroxychloroquine on skin morphology and transglutaminase.
- Author
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Wolf R, Lo Schiavo A, Lombardi ML, Esposito C, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Culture Techniques, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Humans, Models, Theoretical, Reference Values, Skin enzymology, Skin pathology, Transglutaminases metabolism, Antimalarials adverse effects, Hydroxychloroquine adverse effects, Skin drug effects, Transglutaminases drug effects
- Abstract
Background: Antimalarials are some of the most notorious drugs which may induce psoriasis, with 25% of all reported cases being associated with them. Antimalarials do not induce psoriasis de novo, but trigger subclinical psoriasis. In a previous report, we suggested that antimalarials exert their effect by interfering with the epidermal transglutaminase (TGase) activity., Objective: To verify this hypothesis by examining the effect of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQS) on cultured human skin and on TGase activity in vitro., Materials and Methods: Skin samples from normal donors were cultured in the presence of HCQS for 4 days, and then processed for microscopic examination. TGase activity was assayed in the presence of HCQS and compared with blanks., Results: Significant changes in epidermal morphology were seen in all explants cultured in the presence of HCQS at all concentrations employed. Areas of enhanced and irregular keratinization were observed in the upper epidermis, while a loss of cell polarity, with keratinocyte crowding and disarray, was seen in the lower epidermis. In addition, we observed intraepidermal splitting at different levels and dermo-epidermal detachments. HCQS showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of TGase activity., Conclusions: We suggest that HCQS causes an initial break in the barrier function of the epidermis by inhibiting TGase activity; this is followed by a physiologic response of the epidermis aimed at barrier restoration. This rather nonspecific stimulus to epidermal proliferation is probably sufficient to trigger psoriasis in predisposed individuals or aggravate it in psoriatic patients.
- Published
- 1997
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21. Pemphigus and dietary factors. In vitro acantholysis by allyl compounds of the genus Allium.
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Brenner S, Ruocco V, Wolf R, de Angelis E, and Lombardi ML
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- Acantholysis pathology, Adult, Blister chemically induced, Blister pathology, Culture Media, Culture Techniques, Disulfides adverse effects, Female, HLA-DR4 Antigen analysis, Humans, Middle Aged, Plant Oils adverse effects, Skin pathology, Sulfhydryl Compounds adverse effects, Sulfides adverse effects, Acantholysis chemically induced, Allyl Compounds adverse effects, Diet adverse effects, Garlic, Pemphigus etiology, Plants, Medicinal, Skin drug effects
- Abstract
Background: Today it is generally accepted that every drug that possesses an active thiol group in its molecule is capable of inducing pemphigus in vivo and provoking acantholysis in vitro. We therefore suggested that plants, in particular those belonging to the Allium group, that contain several active compounds with stable disulfide and thiol groups in their molecule may cause the same., Objective: To verify this hypothesis by investigating the in vitro acantholytic effect of three compounds of garlic., Methods: Skin samples from donors were cultured in the presence of three compounds of garlic (i.e. allylmercaptan, allylmethylsulfide and allylsulfide) for 3 days. The skin samples were then processed for microscopic control for acantholysis., Results: Results indicate that, indeed, the three garlic compounds tested are capable of inducing acantholysis in vitro. Focal and diffuse acantholysis was observed in the specimens from 4 out of 7 donors cultured in the presence of 6 and 9 mM of each of the allyl compounds for 3 days. Interestingly, tissues from a DR4+ donor proved to be more acantholysis prone than others, showing large blistering due to diffuse acantholysis, thus indicating that individual susceptibility plays a crucial role also in vitro., Conclusion: Garlic compounds with stable disulfide and thiol groups in their molecule are capable of inducing acantholysis in vitro. These findings lend further support to the theory that 'harmless' nutritional factors are capable of inducing acantholysis in vitro and possibly also in vivo. In view of these findings, it is suggested that nutritional factors should be added to the ever-growing list of exogenous factors capable of inducing pemphigus.
- Published
- 1995
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22. Enalapril: a powerful in vitro non-thiol acantholytic agent.
- Author
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de Angelis E, Lombardi ML, Grassi M, and Ruocco V
- Subjects
- Captopril adverse effects, Culture Techniques, Enalapril administration & dosage, Enalapril adverse effects, Female, Humans, Immunoglobulin G analysis, Penicillamine adverse effects, Skin immunology, Time Factors, Tiopronin adverse effects, Tissue Survival, Acantholysis chemically induced, Enalapril pharmacology, Skin drug effects
- Abstract
Drugs containing sulfhydryl groups (thiol drugs) (e.g., penicillamine, captopril, thiopronine) can induce pemphigus in vivo and provoke acantholysis in vitro. Enalapril, like captopril, is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor largely used as an antihypertensive drug; it has recently been reported to induce pemphigus, though it is not a thiol drug. In this study we investigated the possible in vitro acantholytic effect of enalapril on normal human skin from donors. The drug induced severe acantholytic changes of keratinocytes and complete suprabasal splitting at one tenth the concentration required by thiol drugs in similar experiments, even after a shorter period of culture. All skin samples from different donors was highly susceptible to the acantholytic effect of enalapril. In our experience, enalapril is the most powerful acantholytic drug in vitro.
- Published
- 1992
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23. Specific incorporation of penicillamine into the epidermis of mice: an autoradiographic study.
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Ruocco V, De Angelis E, De Luca M, Pisani M, and Prota G
- Subjects
- Animals, Autoradiography, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Kinetics, Mice, Mice, Inbred C3H, Penicillamine administration & dosage, Penicillamine metabolism, Skin metabolism
- Abstract
[3H]-D-penicillamine was injected intra-peritoneally in mice. The highest concentration of the drug was found in the skin, particularly in the epidermis, and a well-defined kinetic sequence of appearance in the epidermis was shown. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that penicillamine, by virtue of its chemical similarity to cysteine, can replace the latter during keratogenesis by a competition phenomenon, which could provoke acantholytic splitting both biochemically and immunologically.
- Published
- 1983
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. [A case of acquired bullous epidermolysis].
- Author
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Pisani M, Ruocco V, and De Angelis E
- Subjects
- Adult, Autoimmune Diseases etiology, Biopsy, Epidermolysis Bullosa etiology, Humans, Male, Skin ultrastructure, Epidermolysis Bullosa pathology, Skin pathology
- Published
- 1988
25. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Author
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Ruocco, V., Bimonte, D., Carlo Luongo, Florio, M., Ruocco, Vincenzo, Bimonte, D, Luongo, C, and Florio, M.
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Hyperbaric Oxygenation ,Adolescent ,Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ,Humans ,Female ,Aged ,Skin - Abstract
Hyperbaric oxygen, useful in treating patients with extensive burns, was used alone in the treatment of three patients with drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis. These conditions, although they have different causes, result in a similar biological state of denuded dermis. The therapy was performed in a pressure chamber with pure oxygen at 2 atm for sixty to 120 minutes once a day. Re-epithelialization occurred quickly in all patients and was complete after approximately ten treatments. Our experience, although limited and uncontrolled, points to a beneficial effect of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Activation of dermal metabolism, enhancement of epidermal regeneration, antishock and antiseptic action, and possibly an immunosuppressive effect are properties of hyperbaric oxygen that may account for its efficacy in the management of toxic epidermal necrolysis.
- Published
- 1986
26. Dermoscopy of pigmented skin lesions (Part II)
- Author
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H. Peter Soyer, Argenziano, G., Ruocco, V., Chimenti, S., Soyer, Hp, Argenziano, Giuseppe, Ruocco, Vincenzo, and Chimenti, S.
- Subjects
Diagnosis, Differential ,Microscopy ,Nevus, Pigmented ,Skin Neoplasms ,Humans ,Dermatology ,Melanoma ,Skin Diseases ,Melanosis ,Skin
27. Eczema of recipient and donor skin graft sites: Another example of 'Ruocco's immunocompromised district'
- Author
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Eleonora Ruocco, Vinzenzo Ruocco, Shyam B. Verma, Uwe Wollina, Verma, S., Wollina, U., Ruocco, E., and Ruocco, V.
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Eczema ,Dermatology ,Immunocompromised Host ,030207 dermatology & venereal diseases ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Split thickness skin graft ,medicine ,Humans ,Recipient site ,Skin ,Chronic eczema ,integumentary system ,business.industry ,Soft tissue ,Skin Transplantation ,General Medicine ,Atopic dermatitis ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,business ,Donor skin - Abstract
A 47-year-old male suffered soft tissue injuries 8 years ago that had been covered by meshed split thickness skin graft. During the last 2 years, he developed a chronic eczema (atopic dermatitis) on both recipient and donor sites on the lower extremities. Eczema on skin graft sites has been described rarely. However, this case is unique since both donor and recipient site were involved. We consider our observation as another example of Ruocco's immunocompromised districts of skin.
- Published
- 2019
28. Vesicular and bullous disorders: pemphigus
- Author
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Vincenzo Ruocco, Giampiero Brunetti, Eleonora Ruocco, Nicola Cirillo, Alessandro Lanza, Adone Baroni, Baroni, A., Lanza, A., Cirillo, N., Brunetti, G., Ruocco, E., and Ruocco, V.
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Pathology ,Dermatology ,Immunologic Tests ,Cholinergic Antagonists ,Immunosuppressive Agent ,immune system diseases ,Immunopathology ,Medicine ,Humans ,Immunologic Test ,Receptors, Cholinergic ,skin and connective tissue diseases ,Autoantibodies ,Skin ,Autoimmune disease ,integumentary system ,Desmoglein 3 ,business.industry ,Desmoglein 1 ,medicine.disease ,Autoantibodie ,Bullous disorders ,Pemphigus ,Etiology ,Cholinergic Antagonist ,business ,Immunosuppressive Agents ,Human ,Signal Transduction - Abstract
Pemphigus is a chronic, autoimmune disease involving the skin and Malpighian mucous membranes. Pemphigus leads to progressive blistering and subsequent erosions. This article describes the etiology and treatment of pemphigus.
- Published
- 2007
29. Uptake of Malassezia furfur by human dermal fibroblasts: effect of ketoconazole and cytoskeleton inhibitors
- Author
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Brunella Perfetto, Iole Paoletti, Elisabetta Buommino, Eleonora Ruocco, Luisa De Martino, Vincenzo Ruocco, Adone Baroni, Baroni, Adone, Perfetto, Brunella, Paoletti, I, DE MARTINO, L, Buommino, Elisabetta, Ruocco, Eleonora, Ruocco, V., Baroni, A, Perfetto, B, DE MARTINO, Luisa, and Ruocco, E
- Subjects
Antifungal Agents ,Cytochalasin D ,Dermatology ,Biology ,Microbiology ,Dermal fibroblast ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Microtubule ,Skin Physiological Phenomena ,medicine ,Colchicine ,Humans ,dermal fibroblast ,Cytoskeleton ,Fibroblast ,Actin ,Cells, Cultured ,Skin ,invasivity ,Malassezia ,electron microscopy ,integumentary system ,Acridine orange ,Malassezia furfur ,acridine orange staining ,General Medicine ,Fibroblasts ,Molecular biology ,Microscopy, Electron ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Ketoconazole ,chemistry ,Mycoses - Abstract
We showed the ability of human dermal fibroblasts to take up Malassezia furfur and the effect of ketoconazole and cytoskeleton inhibitors, including cytochalasin D and colchicine, on invasivity. Engulfment was evaluated by May Grunwald Giemsa stain and confirmed by acridine orange staining and electron microscopy. Both revealed the different steps of engulfment, including a fusion event between lysosomes and phagosomes containing M. furfur. Subinhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole (5 microg/ml) reduced the invasive capacity compared to controls (52.0+/-6.3 vs 10.0+/-1.2). M. furfur induced changes in the cytoskeleton of human dermal fibroblasts, with signs of disaggregation of actin fibres. We also studied the effect of the cytoskeleton inhibitors, cytochalasin D (1 microg/ml) and colchicine (1 microg/ml), on engulfment. Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymers, inhibited the uptake of M. furfur by human dermal fibroblasts. Colchicine, a microtubule inhibitor, reduced the uptake of M. furfur less markedly. This suggests that the process of engulfment is F-actin-dependent, but the integrity of microtubules is also important in "non-professional" phagocytic cells such as dermal fibroblasts.
- Published
- 2001
30. Detection of herpesvirus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin lesions of patients with pemphigus by polymerase chain reaction
- Author
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Eleonora Ruocco, Vincenzo Ruocco, Elisabetta Buommino, Maria Antonietta Tufano, M.L. Lombardi, Adone Baroni, Tufano, M. A, Baroni, A, Buommino, Elisabetta, Ruocco, E, Lombardi, M. L, and Ruocco, V.
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Simplexvirus ,Herpesvirus 4, Human ,food.ingredient ,viruses ,Herpesvirus 6, Human ,Dermatology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Antibodies, Viral ,Peripheral blood mononuclear cell ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Virus ,Herpesviridae ,Pemphigu ,food ,medicine ,Gammaherpesvirinae ,Humans ,Child ,Simplexviru ,Aged ,Skin ,integumentary system ,biology ,Histocompatibility Testing ,Middle Aged ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Virology ,Pemphigus ,Herpes simplex virus ,Immunology ,DNA, Viral ,Leukocytes, Mononuclear ,Human herpesvirus 6 ,Female ,Human - Abstract
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease where both endogenous (genetic) and exogenous (environmental) factors play a part. Viral infections, in particular herpesvirus infections, have been identified as a possible triggering factor for pemphigus. In this study, using the polymerase chain reaction, we studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and skin biopsies from patients with pemphigus, and in some of these were able to demonstrate the presence of DNA sequences of herpes simplex virus 1/2 (50% in PBMC and 71% in skin biopsies), Epstein-Barr virus (15% in PBMC and 5% in skin biopsies) and human herpesvirus 6 (20% in PBMC only). However, the inability to detect herpesvirus DNA consistently in these cases suggests that viral infection may only be an occasional factor triggering the outbreak or exacerbation of the disease. The possible role of interferons and interleukins in the pathogenesis of virus-induced pemphigus is discussed.
- Published
- 1999
31. Malignancy in lichen planus
- Author
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Guido Pettinato, Fernando Gombos, R. A. Satriano, Vincenzo Ruocco, Gaetano De Rosa, Ruocco, V, Satriano, Ra, DE ROSA, Gaetano, Pettinato, Guido, Gombos, F., Ruocco, Vincenzo, DE ROSA, G, and Pettinato, G
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Pathology ,Skin Neoplasms ,business.industry ,Lichen Planus ,Dermatology ,Middle Aged ,Malignancy ,medicine.disease ,Medicine ,Humans ,Female ,business ,Aged ,Skin - Published
- 1989
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