Heat shock protein hsp72 induction in cortical and striatal astrocytes and neurons following infarction

Transient global and transient focal ischemia induced the 72 kDa heat shock protein (hsp72) in neurons in cortex, striatum, and other regions known to be injured during transient ischemia. A novel finding was the induction of hsp72 in islands (cylinders in three dimensions) of cells composed of astrocytes around the perimeter and neurons in the interior. Since histology showed pale staining in these regions, it is proposed that these islands represent areas of focal infarction in the distribution of small cortical and lenticulostriate arteries. Although the factors responsible for hsp72 induction during ischemia and infarction are unknown, these results suggest differences in mechanisms of hsp72 induction in astrocytes compared to neurons.     

Delineating the sites and progression of in vivo atrophy in multiple system atrophy using fluid-registered MRI.

We describe the pattern and progression of atrophy delineated using fluid registration of serial magnetic resonance imaging scans in a case of multiple system atrophy (MSA). The in vivo findings were consistent with those found at postmortem, including significant supratentorial atrophy concurrent with an unusual degree of cognitive impairment for MSA.     

Penicillamine-Induced Degenerative Dermatoses: Report of a Case and Brief Review of Such Dermatoses

We describe a case of elastosis perforans serpiginosa with additional findings of degenerative skin changes. A 20-year-old man with hepatolenticular degeneration, under prolonged treatment with D-penicillamine, presented with a circular or serpiginous arrangement of nuchal papules. Histopathologically, transepidermal channels were accompanied by granulomatous reactions, with several giant cells engulfing elastic fibers. In addition to these findings of a typical elastosis perforans serpiginosa, we observed scar-like skin changes inside the circular arrangement of the papules. At the scar-like tissue, we found electron-microscopical evidence of randomly aggregated thin collagen fibers with no tendency toward systemic combined bundle formation, which is a characteristic feature of normal collagen fiber formation. Pseudoxanthoma-elasticum-like changes were observed on his neck. On his axillae and groin, slight skin thickening and wrinkling were detected. The diagnosis of elastosis perforans serpiginosa does not represent all of the manifestations or the pathological background described above. The skin manifestations described here represent not only an elastosis but also a total degenerative dermatosis with over-healed collagenosis. Thus, those dermatoses should be summarized as one entity, penicillamine-induced degenerative dermatosis. After considering the pathogenic background and clinical similarities, we further propose to simplify the penicillamine-induced skin manifestations to three categories: acute sensitivity reactions, bullous dermatoses, and degenerative dermatoses.     

Expression of cell-matrix molecules and integrin receptors in human liver grafts during chronic rejection

Abstract The inflammatory response of immune cells to target cells and cell-matrix molecules is regulated by several receptor-ligand molecules. As fibrosis develops in ongoing chronic rejection after liver transplantation, it is of interest to analyze patterns of integrin receptors and cell-matrix molecules in order to study the relation between immune cells and the stromal and parenchymal cells. In the present study, we demonstrated the expression of these molecules in chronic rejected human liver grafts using immunohistochemical techniques. The results showed a differential expression and induction of integrin receptors and cell-matrix molecules on resident liver cells, especially on sinusoids, reflecting a state of chronic inflammation and a specific interaction between integrin receptors and cell-matrix molecules. The patterns of induced integrin receptors on graft-infiltrating cells was closely related to the local production of cell-matrix molecules and reflected the final sequence of a stepwise progress of the inflammatory reaction.