Regeneration of Collagen Fibrils at the Papillary Dermis by Reconstructing Basement Membrane at the Dermal-Epidermal Junction

The epidermal basement membrane deteriorates with aging. We previously reported that basement membrane reconstruction not only serves to maintain epidermal stem/progenitor cells in the epidermis, but also increases collagen fibers in the papillary dermis. Here, we investigated the mechanism of the latter action. Collagen fibrils in the papillary dermis were increased in organotypic human skin culture treated with matrix metalloproteinase and heparinase inhibitors. The expression levels of COL5A1 and COL1A1 genes (encoding collagen type V α 1 chain and collagen type I α 1 chain, respectively) were increased in fibroblasts cultured with conditioned medium from a skin equivalent model cultured with the inhibitors and in keratinocytes cultured on laminin-511 fragment-coated plates. We then examined cytokine expression, and found that the inhibitors increased the expression of PDGF-BB (platelet-derived growth factor consisting of two B subunits) in epidermis. Expression of COL5A1 and COL1A1 genes was increased in cultured fibroblasts stimulated with PDGF-BB. Further, the bifunctional inhibitor hydroxyethyl imidazolidinone (HEI) increased skin elasticity and the thickness of the papillary dermis in the skin equivalent. Taken together, our data suggests that reconstructing the basement membrane promotes secretion of PDGF-BB by epidermal keratinocytes, leading to increased collagen expression at the papillary dermis.

Solitary nevus lipomatosus superficialis

Nevus lipomatosus superficialis is a rare form of hamartoma or connective tissue nevus that is characterized by the presence of ectopic adipose tissue within the dermis. They usually present as soft yellowish or skin colored papulonodules with a predilection for the buttocks, upper thigh, and lumbar back. We report a solitary form of nevus lipomatosus superficialis in a 63-year-old woman who presented with a skin colored pedunculated mass. Histopathology showed mature adipocytes in lobules extending to the papillary dermis.

FotoFinder Dermoscopy Analysis and Histopathological Correlation in Primary Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis

Background: Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) causes extracellular proteinaceous deposits in skin. It is clinically divided into macular amyloidosis, lichen amyloidosis and nodular amyloidosis. Atypical presentations of PLCA make the diagnosis challenging, requiring biopsy to confirm amyloid deposition in the upper papillary dermis. Objectives: This study used FotoFinder dermoscopy to characterize lichen and macular amyloidosis and correlated the dermoscopic features with histopathological findings. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with a clinical and histopathological diagnosis of PLCA. Dermoscopic examination was performed using the FotoFinder dermoscope, which provides a range of magnification from 20´ to 140´. Results: A total of 30 patients were included in the study. Common dermoscopic patterns of MA were white or brown central hubs, and common patterns of LA were white structureless, scar-like areas and central hubs. New dermoscopic findings were a day lily appearance in MA and white rosettes in LA. Conclusions: Dermoscopy plays a pivotal role in demonstrating characteristic findings of PLCA. These findings were well corelated with histopathology, thus avoiding unnecessary biopsy for arriving at an accurate diagnosis of PLCA.

In vitro beneficial effects of a flax extract on papillary fibroblasts define it as an anti-aging candidate

Objective: During aging, skin undergoes structural, cellular and molecular changes, which not only alter skin mechanical properties but also biological and physiological functions. Structurally the epidermis becomes thinner, the dermal epidermal junction flattens and the extra-cellular matrix component of the dermis is disorganized and degraded. The dermis is composed of two compartments: The Reticular dermis is the deepest and thickest part while the upper layer, the papillary dermis, which is much thinner and is in close contact with epidermis, plays an important role in the structure and function of the skin. We have recently shown that the papillary dermis was preferentially affected by skin aging because the activity of fibroblasts in this region was especially altered as a function of age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the capacity of a flax extract as anti-aging component. Method: We investigated the capacity of a flax extract to stimulate or restore the activity of papillary fibroblasts from young and old donors in cultured monolayers and in reconstructed skin. Several biological markers of extracellular matrix homeostasis and mechanical properties were investigated. Results: The tested flax extract seemed to improve parameters known to change with age: I/ In monolayers after treatment the number of aged fibroblasts increased II/ In reconstructed skin the flax extract appears to positively regulate some biological activities; particularly in aged fibroblasts where the deposition of laminin 5, fibrillin 1, procollagen I were increased in the dermis and the secretion of specific soluble factors like MMP1, MMP3 and KGF were regulated to levels similar to those observed in young fibroblasts III/ Mechanical properties were improved particularly for elastics parameters (R5, R2 and R7). Conclusion: The flax extract is a promising anti-aging compound. The treatment of aged papillary fibroblasts resulted in a return to a younger-like profile for some of the studied parameters.

Eggshell membrane promotes homeostasis of elastic skin and lung tissue associated with type III collagen and decorin expression and ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis in a bleomycin mouse model

The skin and lungs are barriers to environmental threats such as toxic chemicals and microbial pathogens. The integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the dermal papillae in the skin and the interstitium in the lungs is critical for tissue homeostasis. However, it is difficult to improve the ECM integrity in the skin and lung simultaneously. Previously, we reported that eggshell membrane (ESM) provided a young ECM environment to dermal fibroblasts in vitro and in mouse skin and increased the elasticity of human skin. Herein, lung fibroblasts cultured on ESM showed markedly higher type III collagen, decorin, and MMP2 levels. Oral ESM administration in mice markedly increased the type III collagen and decorin levels in lung tissues after 2 weeks, and type III collagen, decorin, and MMP2 levels in the papillary dermis after 4 weeks. Furthermore, in a double-blind study involving 30 adults, the arm skin elasticity significantly increased after 8 weeks of ESM administration. Simultaneously, the Tiffeneau-Pinelli index, which is correlated with lung elasticity, increased also significantly. To further explore the effects of ESM on the lungs, we used a mouse model of bleomycin-induced fibrosis. In these mice, ESM significantly suppressed fibrosis at 2 weeks and increased the type III collagen levels in the bronchioles and decorin levels in the alveoli, which was implicated in the suppression of lung fibrosis. Thus, oral ESM intake may prevent the age-dependent decline of the papillary dermis and pulmonary fibrosis by improving the extracellular environment in skin and lung tissues.

Eggshell membrane promotes homeostasis of elastic skin and lung tissue associated with type III collagen and decorin expression and ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis in a bleomycin mouse model

The skin and lungs are barriers to environmental threats such as toxic chemicals and microbial pathogens. The integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the dermal papillae in the skin and the interstitium in the lungs is critical for tissue homeostasis. However, it is difficult to improve the ECM integrity in the skin and lung simultaneously. Previously, we reported that eggshell membrane (ESM) provided a young ECM environment to dermal fibroblasts in vitro and in mouse skin and increased the elasticity of human skin. Herein, lung fibroblasts cultured on ESM showed markedly higher type III collagen, decorin, and MMP2 levels. Oral ESM administration in mice markedly increased the type III collagen and decorin levels in lung tissues after 2 weeks, and type III collagen, decorin, and MMP2 levels in the papillary dermis after 4 weeks. Furthermore, in a double-blind study involving 30 adults, the arm skin elasticity significantly increased after 8 weeks of ESM administration. Simultaneously, the Tiffeneau-Pinelli index, which is correlated with lung elasticity, increased also significantly. To further explore the effects of ESM on the lungs, we used a mouse model of bleomycin-induced fibrosis. In these mice, ESM significantly suppressed fibrosis at 2 weeks and increased the type III collagen levels in the bronchioles and decorin levels in the alveoli, which was implicated in the suppression of lung fibrosis. Thus, oral ESM intake may prevent the age-dependent decline of the papillary dermis and pulmonary fibrosis by improving the extracellular environment in skin and lung tissues.

Case Report: Diagnosis of Primary Cutaneous Amyloidosis Using Dermoscopy and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy

The dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can provide new insights for diagnosis disease as non-invasive and easy-to-use tool. We described the dermoscopy and RCM characteristics of two patients with primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) respectively. The dermoscopy characteristics were as follows: brownish macules with brown or white centers surrounded by hyperpigmented blotches, and a whitish scar-like center encircled by irregular brownish hyperpigmented spots or patches. The RCM features were increased melanin deposition in the basal layer, highly refractive structures with various shapes in the enlarged papillary dermis, and the increased pleomorphic structure of the dermal papillary ring. This is the first report the dermoscopy and RCM characteristics of PCA. We hope the characteristic dermoscopy and RCM appearances would provide a basis for doctors to diagnose and intervene earlier.