Autoantibodies in sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda

In an investigation of autoimmune antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis in a group of porphyria cutanea tarda patients we did not find any cytosolic antibodies potentially able to inhibit uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. Furthermore, no known etiological factors were present in any of our patients. We therefore consider the development of the recently reported autoantibody with a molecular weight of 40 kDa a reaction to infection with the hepatitis C virus. The origin of mostly antinuclear antibodies against liver antigens (50, 45 and 56 kDa), detected in seven patients, was not identified and their etiopathogenetic implications remain unknown.     

High prevalence of HFE gene mutations in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda in the Czech Republic

Background  Iron overload and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are independent factors which are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT).
Objectives  To determine the prevalence of the HFE gene mutations p.Cys282Tyr (C282Y), p.His63Asp (H63D) and p.Ser65Cys (S65C), the p.Tyr250X (Y250X) mutation of the TFR2 gene, and HCV infection in patients with PCT in the Czech population, and to make comparison of the iron status among the respective genotypes.
Methods  Iron metabolism indices, results of mutational analysis and serological markers of HCV infection were examined in 63 patients with PCT.
Results  The HFE gene mutations were detected in 70% of patients with PCT compared with 35% in the control group ( P  <   0·001). Mean serum ferritin levels were increased in all genotypes, the highest being in homozygotes for the p.Cys282Tyr mutation. HCV infection was detected in only 8% of patients with PCT.
Conclusions  There was a very high prevalence of the p.Cys282Tyr and p.His63Asp mutations observed in patients with PCT accompanied by mild degrees of iron overload, which was genotype dependent.     

A first report of porphyria cutanea tarda successfully treated with glycyrrhizin

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a condition that affects liver and skin by reduction of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. It is characterized by blistering lesions, erosions and crusts on sun‐exposed areas. We report a 51‐year‐old male presenting with recurrent episodes of bullae, erosions, and crust on his neck and dorsum of the hands for 3 months. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase levels, as well as total plasma porphyrin and urinary uroporphyrin levels were elevated. Based on the clinical manifestations, the history and laboratory findings, a diagnosis of PCT was made. The cutaneous and biochemical abnormalities of the patient improved with therapy of glycyrrhizin.     

Porphyria cutanea tarda (Typ 1) bei HIV-Infektion

Zusammenfassung Bei einem HIV-infizierten Patienten im Stadium CDC 3A mit Porphyria cutanea tarda (Typ I) führte eine mehrmonatige Therapie mit Chloroquin zur vollst?ndigen Rückbildung der Hautver?nderungen. Dieser Patient wird mit bisherigen Berichten von HIV-infizierten Patienten mit einer Porphyria cutanea tarda verglichen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Provokationsfaktoren für eine Porphyria cutanea tarda bei HIV-Infektion. Es werden die erh?hte Pr?valenz der Porphyria cutanea tarda bei HIV-Infektion, die Interaktion von HIV und UV-Strahlung als Pr?disposition für eine Porphyria cutanea tarda und die Lichtempfindlichkeit bei HIV-Infektion diskutiert. Eingegangen am 6. September 1994 Angenommen am 3. Februar 1995     

The prevalence of HFE C282Y gene mutation is increased in Spanish patients with porphyria cutanea tarda without hepatitis C virus infection

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of C282Y and H63D mutations, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the pathogenesis of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. SETTING: A large clinical and research institute for the study and treatment of cutaneous diseases in Barcelona, Spain. PATIENTS: Ninety-nine consecutive patients with PCT and one hundred and twenty-six control patients (76 healthy subjects and 50 patients chronically infected with HCV), were recruited. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of the C282Y and H63D mutations in patients with PCT vs. controls and the relationship of these mutations with HCV infection, and iron status, as judged by serum iron, liver iron and ferritin levels. RESULTS: C282Y mutation was significantly increased in PCT patients. This mutation was more frequent among non-HCV-infected patients. Increased ferritin levels and hepatic iron overload were also observed in PCT patients with heterozygous C282Y state. H63D mutation was only significantly increased among PCT patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. No significant iron overload was observed in patients with H63D mutation. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the high frequency of C282Y mutation in patients with PCT and its relationship with iron overload. The C282Y mutation has a relevant role in Spanish patients with PCT not associated with HCV chronic infection. On the other hand, the prevalence of the H63D mutation seems not to be increased in patients with PCT. The possibility of an association between HCV infection and H63D mutation in inducing PCT can be hypothesized.     

Hereditary uroporphyrinogen-decarboxylase deficiency predisposing porphyria cutanea tarda (chronic hepatic porphyria) in females after oral contraceptive medication

Summary Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) was diagnosed in 27 women aged 23–48 years (mean, 35 years) who had been under oral-hormonal-contraceptive medication for 1–18 years, in 3 women under substitutional estrogen treatment in the menopause, and in 2 men aged 65 and 76 years after estrogen treatment of prostatic carcinoma. In all patients, total urinary porphyrin excretion was elevated, with an average uro-and heptacarboxyporphyrin predominance of 88%, thus proving PCT. On the patients, 84% showed a significant decrease of erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen-decarboxylase (UD; EC 4.1.1.37) activity to 50% of control levels suggesting a hereditary predisposition for the development of a chronic hepatic porphyria. Estrogens and alcohol are capable of reducing hepatic UD activity. Women with hereditary red cell UD deficiency may be regarded as predisposed to PCT when under estrogen intake, especially in combination with the potentiating influence of alcohol and chronic liver disease. Normal erythrocyte UD values in patients with additive alcohol consumption may implicate a stronger inhibitory effect for alcohol on UD, suggesting a merely toxic form of chronic hepatic porphyria.     

Photodynamic action of uroporphyrin on the complement system in porphyria cutanea tarda

Summary We investigated the effect of UV light (320–460 nm) on total hemolytic CH50 activity and C3 cleavage in sera obtained from 14 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda. Irradiation with 5, 10, or 50 J/cm² resulted in a 12%–60% loss of CH50 and a 5%–30% cleavage of native C3 as estimated by planimetric evaluation of the immunoelectrophoretic C3 pattern. The complement changes were most pronounced in sera from patients with active disease and were minimal or absent in patients who were in remission. In all cases, the decrease of CH50 and C3 cleavage was proportional to the plasma-porphyrin concentration and the dose of radiation. After exposure to 320- to 460-nm light, similar changes were seen in normal human serum (NHS) to which exogenous uroporphyrin had been added. Beta-carotene and chloroquine had no inhibitory effect on the photodynamic complement activation. The C3 cleavage in irradiated NHS containing uroporphyrin was not affected by 10 mM EGTA, but was partially inhibited in the presence of 30 mM EDTA, thus indicating that the interaction of photoexcited uroporphyrin with the complement system differs from classical-pathway complement activation.     

HFE mutations and transferrin receptor polymorphism analysis in porphyria cutanea tarda: a prospective study of 36 cases from southern France

BACKGROUND: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is associated in most cases with iron overload, which may participate in decreased activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase in the liver. The aetiology of this iron overload remains unknown; however, it has been demonstrated that mutations of HFE, the genetic haemochromatosis gene, might be present in a significant proportion of Anglo-Saxon and Italian patients. Furthermore, transferrin receptor polymorphism may influence the affinity of this receptor to its ligand with a subsequent increase of cellular iron absorption and storage. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and spectrum of HFE mutations and the relative frequency of the two main alleles of transferrin receptor in patients with PCT originating from southern France, and to evaluate the relationship of these genetic data with iron status, and with hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. METHODS: Thirty-six consecutive patients with either sporadic or familial PCT were prospectively included between 1997 and 2000. Search for the presence of the three main mutations of the HFE gene and identification of the transferrin receptor alleles were performed using polymerase chain reaction followed by enzymatic digestion. Iron parameters and viral status for hepatitis B and C viruses and HIV were determined. RESULTS: Seven patients (19%) showed heterozygous C282Y mutation, but no C282Y homozygote was present; five patients (14%) carried homozygous H63D mutation, while eight (22%) were heterozygous for this mutation. One patient was heterozygous for the S65C mutation (3%). Iron parameters demonstrated overload in all patients, without a clear difference between patients with and without deleterious mutations of the HFE gene. Infection by hepatitis C virus was documented in 20 patients (56%), and was significantly less frequent in patients with deleterious HFE mutations. The profile of transferrin receptor alleles in PCT patients did not show significant variation compared with the general population. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the high frequency of HFE mutations in patients with PCT and supports the hypothesis that HFE gene abnormalities might play a significant part in the PCT pathomechanism, probably through iron overload; by contrast, transferrin receptor polymorphisms do not appear to play a significant part in iron overload in PCT.     

Mechanism of blister formation in porphyria cutanea tarda. I. Histopathological observation of blisters in three cases of porphyria cutanea tarda

We performed a histopathological investigation of the bullous lesions in 3 cases of porphyria cutanea tarda. All cases showed subepidermal bullae by light microscopy. PAS positive materials were present on the roof of the bullae and partially present on their bases. Electron-microscopically, the basal lamina was clearly recognized on the base. From these results, we suggest that the blister in porphyria cutanea tarda occurs initially within the junctional zone; this initial bulla may quickly change into a dermolytic bulla with additional stimulation.     

Molecular heterogeneity of familial porphyria cutanea tarda in Spain: characterization of 10 novel mutations in the UROD gene

BACKGROUND: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) results from decreased hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) activity. In the majority of patients, the disease is sporadic (S-PCT or type I) and the enzyme deficiency is limited to the liver. Familial PCT (F-PCT or type II) is observed in 20-30% of patients in whom mutations on one allele of the UROD gene reduce UROD activity by approximately 50% in all tissues. Another variant of PCT (type III) is characterized by family history of the disease although it is biochemically indistinguishable from S-PCT. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular basis of PCT in Spain and to compare enzymatic and molecular analysis for the identification of patients with F-PCT. METHODS: Erythrocyte UROD activity measurement and mutation analysis of the UROD gene were carried out in a cohort of 61 unrelated Spanish patients with PCT and 50 control individuals. Furthermore, each novel missense mutation identified was characterized by prokaryotic expression studies. RESULTS: Of these 61 patients, 40 (66%) were classified as having S-PCT, 16 (26%) as having F-PCT and five (8%) as having type III PCT. Discordant results between enzymatic and molecular analysis were observed in two patients with F-PCT. In total, 14 distinct mutations were found, including 10 novel mutations: five missense, one nonsense, three deletions and an insertion. Prokaryotic expression of the novel missense mutations demonstrated that each results in decreased enzyme activity or stability. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the high degree of molecular heterogeneity of F-PCT in Spain and emphasize the usefulness of molecular genetic analysis to distinguish between F-PCT and S-PCT.     

The molecular basis of porphyria cutanea tarda in Chile: identification and functional characterization of mutations in the uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase gene

The porphyrias are heterogeneous disorders arising from predominantly inherited catalytic deficiencies of specific enzymes in heme biosynthesis. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) results from a decreased activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, the fifth enzyme in heme biosynthesis. The disorder represents the only porphyria that is not exclusively inherited monogenetically. In PCT, at least two different types can be distinguished: acquired/sporadic (type I) PCT, in which the enzymatic deficiency is limited to the liver and inherited/familial (type II) PCT, which is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with a decrease of enzymatic activity in all tissues. In an effort to characterize the molecular basis of PCT in Chile, we identified eight mutations in 18 previously unclassified PCT families by polymerase chain reaction, heteroduplex analysis, and automated sequencing. To study the role of these mutations in disease causality, in vitro expression of all novel missense mutations was studied. Our results indicate that the frequency of familial PCT in Chile is approximately 50%, thus, to our knowledge, representing the highest incidence of familial PCT reported to date. The data further emphasize the molecular heterogeneity in type II PCT and demonstrate the advantages of molecular genetic techniques as a diagnostic tool and in the detection of clinically asymptomatic mutation carriers.     

Incidence of hereditary porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) in a sample of the Italian population

Summary The determination of the enzymatic activity of URO-D in erythrocytes is the screening method used for differentiation between hereditary and non-hereditary forms of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). The aim of the present work was to establish the relative frequencies of the symptomatic and hereditary forms by the determination of the URO-D enzyme in the PCT patients who were regularly treated at the Centre for Porphyrins in our Institute. In the course of this work we also examined the statistical properties of the distributions of both normal and porphyric subjects, so as to be able to suggest values for discriminating between normal subjects and the various types of porphyric subjects.     

A case of porphyria cutanea tarda in association with idiopathic myelofibrosis and CREST syndrome

We report a 56-year-old Korean woman with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), showing multiple scarring bullae and hypertrichosis on sun-exposed areas of skin with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Sclerodermoid changes were also found on both hands, the face and neck. The patient had suffered from CREST syndrome, manifesting with Raynaud's phenomenon and sclerodactyly, for more than 15 years. Anticentromere antibody was positive. She had presented with splenomegaly 3 years before the development of PCT, and was diagnosed as having idiopathic myelofibrosis, based on bone marrow biopsy. In summary, she had had CREST syndrome for 15 years and later developed idiopathic myelofibrosis and PCT. This is the first reported case of PCT in association with idiopathic myelofibrosis and CREST syndrome.     

Hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations and response to chloroquine in porphyria cutanea tarda

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations, which are associated with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), in the therapeutic response to chloroquine. DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed a database (Excel version 2001 [Microsoft Excel, Redmond, Wash]; date range of search, 1985-1999) of chloroquine-treated patients with PCT on whether HFE mutations (C282Y and H63D) might have influenced the clinical response, urinary porphyrin excretion, liver enzyme activities, and serum iron markers. Serum samples and corresponding complete sets of data before and after therapy were available in 62 of 207 patients with PCT who were treated exclusively with chloroquine. SETTINGS: Academic teaching hospital. INTERVENTION: For treatment, low-dose chloroquine diphosphate, 125 to 250 mg twice weekly, was used during a median time of 16 months (range, 12-26 months). RESULTS: Of the 62 German patients with PCT, 37 (60%) carries HFE mutations. Chloroquine therapy was accompanied by clinical remission and reduced urinary porphyrin excretion (P<.001) in the 24 patients (39%) with HFE wild type as well as in 35 HFE heterozygous patients with PCT (56%). Decreases of serum iron markers following chloroquine therapy were limited to patients with PCT and HFE wild type. All patients homozygous for the C282Y mutation (3 [5%] of 62) had high serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation and failed to respond to chloroquine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic response to chloroquine was not compromised by C282Y heterozygosity and compound heterozygosity of HFE mutations. Because HFE C282Y homozygotes (+/+) did not respond to chloroquine and a decrease in serum iron concentration was limited to patients with PCT and HFE wild type, phlebotomy should be first-line therapy in patients with PCT and HFE mutations.     

Desferrioxamine treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda in a patient with HIV and chronic renal failure

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) can occur in HIV patients. Current evidence suggests that HIV infection may interfere with the hepatic cytochrome oxidase system, leading to porphyrin metabolism impairment. Moreover, chronic hemodialysis in renal failure may be a risk factor for PCT. In addition to the contributory factors for PCT associated to HIV infection, it is possible that porphyrin accumulation secondary to renal failure may play a role in the expression of this disease. We report a case of PCT in an HIV‐1 infected patient under blood dialysis, refractory to antimalarials and controlled with desferrioxamine.     

Porphyria cutanea tarda symptomatica in children treated with chloroquine. Report of four cases with control liver biopsies

Four children with porphyria cutanea tarda symptomatica were reported. Two of them had a previous history of exposure to pesticides. All four received a daily treatment of 250 mg of chloroquine for seven days. Liver function test results were altered immediately after conclusion of the therapy and porphyrin levels were very high. A light and electron microscopic examination of eight control liver biopsies revealed fatty changes before treatment, extensive liver damage during treatment, and regeneration of the liver parenchyma after the treatment. In view of the transient, but severe, liver damage, this therapeutic modality is not recommended for the treatment of children with porphyria cutanea tarda.     

Genetic ancestry of patients with porphyria cutanea tarda in a country with mixed races: a cross-sectional study (Rio de Janeiro - Brazil)

Porphyria cutanea tarda has a complex etiology with genetic factors not completely elucidated. The miscegenation of the Brazilian population has important implications in the predisposition to diseases. There are no studies concerning the genetic ancestry of patients with porphyria cutanea tarda from a mixed population. Thirty patients living in Rio de Janeiro with sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda were studied for the genetic ancestry through informative markers - INDELS. There was a significant predominance of European ancestry across the sample of patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (70.2%), and a small contribution of African and Amerindian ancestry, 20.1% and 10.9%, respectively.     

肢端型黑素瘤NRAS基因突变检测及预后分析

目的 分析肢端黑素瘤临床及病理特点,检测肢端型黑素瘤NRAS基因突变情况,探讨NRAS基因突变与疾病预后的关系。方法 收集经病理确诊的55例肢端型黑素瘤患者的临床及病理资料,提取其石蜡包埋组织及15例色素痣石蜡包埋组织DNA,采用PCR及DNA直接测序法检测NRAS基因突变。采用Cox比例风险回归模型进行单因素和多因素分析。结果 55例肢端型黑素瘤患者中,6例（10.9%）发生NRAS突变,突变位于61密码子,以Q61R为主。NRAS基因1、2外显子及15例色素痣组织未见上述突变。6例NRAS突变患者中,4例发生淋巴结转移。多因素Cox回归模型分析中,临床分期晚（RR = 2.54,95% CI：1.062 ~ 6.066）、未手术切除（RR = 2.98,95% CI：1.316 ~ 3.525）、存在NRAS突变（RR = 2.73,95% CI：0.932 ~ 3.257）为预后不良的独立影响因素（均P < 0.05）。结论 肢端型黑素瘤患者NRAS突变可能与淋巴结转移相关,临床分期、治疗方法、NRAS突变与预后有关。NRAS突变可能为肢端型黑素瘤提供一个新的预后评估指标。     

家族性良性天疱疮基因突变研究

目的 探讨家族性良性天疱疮17个先证者的ATP2C1基因突变。方法 采用PCR和DNA直接测序的方法，检测17个家族性良性天疱疮先证者的ATP2C1基因外显子区。结果 在9个先证者中检测到8个不同的ATP2C1基因突变位点，包括3个缺失突变（nt1464-1487／1462-1485del，1523delAT和2375delTTGT），3个剪接位点突变（360-2A→G，1415-2A→T和2243＋2T→C）及2个错义突变（P307L和D648Y）。120例正常人对照中均未检测到上述几种突变。结论 此8个ATP2C1基因突变是该病新的特异突变。