Activation of Toll-like Receptors 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 on Human Melanocytes Modulate Pigmentation

Human melanocytes are not simply pigment-producing cells. It may be part of the inflammatory response, during which the pigmentary system may produce more melanin or suppress melanization. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been implicated in both innate host defense against pathogens and inflammatory response. Therefore, it may be possible that activation of TLRs in melanocytes may play a role in the modulation of melanogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether normal human melanocytes expressed TLRs and analyzed pigmentation changes upon TLR stimulation. The expression of TLR1~10 mRNA in cultured human melanocyte was analyzed using RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Human melanocytes constitutively express mRNA and protein for TLR2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10. Stimulation of TLR1/2 and 4 with Pam3CSK4 and lipopolysaccharide induced pigmentation of melanocytes. Activation of TLR5 and 7 with flagellin and imiquimod treatments reduced pigmentation of melanocytes and zebrafish. In summary, the results provided evidence for TLRs expression in normal human melanocytes. It is speculated that a response of melanocyte to TLR ligands may play a role in the pigmentary change in the skin.     

The retinal pigmentation pathway in human albinism: Not so black and white

Albinism is a pigment disorder affecting eye, skin and/or hair. Patients usually have decreased melanin in affected tissues and suffer from severe visual abnormalities, including foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting. Combining our data with those of the literature, we propose a single functional genetic retinal signalling pathway that includes all 22 currently known human albinism disease genes. We hypothesise that defects affecting the genesis or function of different intra-cellular organelles, including melanosomes, cause syndromic forms of albinism (Hermansky-Pudlak (HPS) and Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS)). We put forward that specific melanosome impairments cause different forms of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1-8). Further, we incorporate GPR143 that has been implicated in ocular albinism (OA1), characterised by a phenotype limited to the eye. Finally, we include the SLC38A8-associated disorder FHONDA that causes an even more restricted “albinism-related” ocular phenotype with foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting but without pigmentation defects. We propose the following retinal pigmentation pathway, with increasingly specific genetic and cellular defects causing an increasingly specific ocular phenotype: (HPS1-11/CHS: syndromic forms of albinism)-(OCA1-8: OCA)-(GPR143: OA1)-(SLC38A8: FHONDA). Beyond disease genes involvement, we also evaluate a range of (candidate) regulatory and signalling mechanisms affecting the activity of the pathway in retinal development, retinal pigmentation and albinism. We further suggest that the proposed pigmentation pathway is also involved in other retinal disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration. The hypotheses put forward in this report provide a framework for further systematic studies in albinism and melanin pigmentation disorders.     

Longitudinale Melanonychie bei Einnahme von Hydroxycarbamid

Four case reports of patients with myeloproliferative syndrome receiving therapy with hydroxycarbamide (synonymous: hydroxyurea) and developing streaky longitudinal pigmentation appeared in fingernails and toenails several months after starting this therapy. Background: Pigmentation of finger‐ and toenails presents a wide range of differential diagnostic considerations. They can be of infectious, melanocytic or exogenous origin or caused by metabolic disorders. Patients and methods: Three women and one man, ranging in age from 62 and 87 years, were treated with hydroxycarbamide for myeloproliferative syndrome or chronic myelogenous leukemia for five to twelve years. All four patients were Fitzpatrick skin types II. Results: Several months after starting this therapy, they developed streaky longitudinal pigmentation of their fingernails and toenails. In two patients, these findings were diagnosed by chance, whereas two patients sought dermatological advice because of nail pigmentation. In two of the patients the longitudinal pigmentation disappeared a few month after discontinuation of hydroxycarbamide. The melanonychia persisted in another patient, while the fourth was lost to follow‐up. Conclusions: When melanonychia is identified in hematology‐oncology patients, a careful medical history should be obtained. A list of medications is crucial, since hydroxycarbamide causes nail pigmentation. In each case of nail pigmentation, an acral lentiginous melanoma must be excluded.     

Incontinentia pigmenti or Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome: a rare X-linked genodermatosis

Incontinentia pigmenti is a rare X-linked genodermatosis that affects mainlyfemale neonates. The first manifestation occurs in the early neonatal period andprogresses through four stages: vesicular, verruciform, hyperpigmented andhypopigmented. Clinical features also manifest themselves through changes in theteeth, eyes, hair, central nervous system, bone structures, skeletal musculatureand immune system. The authors report the case of a patient with cutaneouslesions and histological findings that are compatible with the vesicular stage,emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate therapeuticmanagement.     

儿童色素沉着息肉综合征及文献复习

目的:对3例以腹痛、贫血、便血、肠梗阻为首诊的儿童少见疾病进行确诊。方法:根据患儿家族史、临床观察、肠镜、X线检查、病理检查、手术确诊。结果:儿童色素沉着息肉综合征常以贫血、腹痛、便血、肠梗阻等为主要表现。可有遗传性,可散发。常伴恶性病变。结论:应提高对儿童色素沉着息肉综合征的认识,以利早期诊断,恰当治疗、随访。     

Wy10美白与Beyond冷光美白活髓着色牙的疗效比较

目的评价Wy10美白法漂白活髓着色牙的疗效和安全性。方法用Wy10美白系统对30例患者393颗活髓着色牙进行漂白,对照组30例患者378颗活髓着色牙采用Beyond冷光美白法。利用Vita比色板色值测定法、计算机辅助分析法评价美白疗效,并通过牙髓敏感性比较问卷评估牙齿敏感情况。结果Wy10美白组与冷光美白组漂白有效率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组漂白治疗前、后牙面颜色的色差值差异也无统计学意义(P>0.05)。但两组患者在术后即刻、术后1周、术后3个月、术后6个月的牙髓敏感率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 Wy10美白与冷光美白对活髓着色牙的漂白疗效无明显差异,但Wy10美白较冷光美白对牙髓的刺激性轻,临床应用安全性更好。     

Q开关激光治疗颧部褐青色痣170例疗效分析

目的 观察Q开关激光治疗颧部褐青色痣的效果，分析影响疗效的因素。方法 采用美国ODHERENT公司生产的Versapulse波长激光器中的Nd：YAG1064哪波长，能量密度3．0～6．5J／cm^2；翠绿宝石755哦波长，能量密度3．0～6．0J／cm^2；倍频Nd：YAG532哪波长，能量密度1．6～2．8J／cm^2。光斑直径2～4mm。分别治疗2～6次，间隔时间3～12个月。根据治疗前后的照片判定疗效。标准分为Ⅳ级。结果 170例患者中，治愈56例，占33％，显效65例，有效49例，总有效率10096。随访6个月至5年，除13例患者出现短期的色素加深外，170例患者病灶色素消失，无瘢痕遗留及复发。结论 Q开关激光治疗颧部褐青色痣安全有效。     

肝豆状核变性的眼部特殊表现(附一例报告)

本文在总结Hepatolenticular degeneration(HLD)眼部改变的同时报告了一例眼部特殊表现——晶体前囊环状金属样色素颗粒沉着及调节与辐辏改变,并对其形成机制进行了探讨,提出了自己的观点。     

Mustard gas scarring with specific pigmentary, trophic and vascular charactristics (case report, 16-year post-exposure)

Sulfur mustard (mustard gas) is an alkylating agent used widely against Iranians during the 8-year Iraq-Iran war. This agent causes various late-occurring respiratory, skin and eye complications. A 37-year-old Iranian man exposed to the agent in vapor form 16 years prior to the date of this writing was given a clinical and pathological evaluation for late-occurring skin lesions. Hypo and hyperpigmentation, atrophic, and vascular changes (cherry angiomas) were observed at the site of mustard scarring on the left anterior thigh. Histological studies showed mild papillomatosis and acanthosis changes along with pigmentation of basal layer in epidermis and atrophy of adnexal structures along with fibrosis and sclerosis in dermis.     

Denlinx冷光牙齿美白术的临床观察

目的评价Denlinx冷光牙齿美白术对不同类型变色牙齿的临床疗效及安全性的研究。方法将42例门诊患者按牙齿变色原因分为四环素牙、氟斑牙、外在因素变色牙（年龄、咖啡、荼、香烟等）3组,进行Denlinx冷光牙齿美白术治疗。用Vita比色板进行美白治疗前后颜色的对比,进行48h内牙齿敏感症观察。结果牙齿增白总有效率95．24％。3组间相比,有效率无显著性差异（P〉0．05）,外在因素变色牙组与氟斑牙组相比,有显著性差异（P〈0．05）,外在因素变色牙组与四环素牙组相比有高度显著性差异（P〈0．01）,氟疯牙组与四环素牙组相比有高度显著性差异（P〈0．01）。治疗后11例出现牙齿敏感症状,24h后症状全部消失。结论Denlinx冷光牙齿美白术是一种安全、有效的牙齿美白技术,其中对外在因素变色牙组疗效最好,氟斑牙组疗效次之,四环素牙组疗效相比较差。