Journal Digest: August 9

Experimental Dermatology: Altered Structure Indicating Reduced Barrier Function of Lesional Compared to Non-Lesional Psoriatic Skin—A Non-Invasive in Vivo Study of the Human Stratum Corneum With Confocal Raman Micro-Spectroscopy

In their recent study, Zolotas et al molecularly compared lesional psoriatic skin (LPS) with non-lesional psoriatic skin from 19 patients non-invasively in vivo, using confocal Raman micro-spectroscopy. Zolotaset al noted that previous studies have shown a higher trans-epidermal water loss, lower hydration, abnormal concentration and composition of intercellular lipids, as well as alterations in secondary keratin structures in the psoriatic stratum corneum. The author’s findings showed a lower total lipid concentration, a shift of lamellar lipid organization towards more gauche-conformers, and an increase of the less dense hexagonal lateral packing of the intercellular lipids in LPS, in which the Zolotaset al concluded their findings “suggest structural differences indicating a reduced skin barrier function in LPS.”

Journal of Dermatologic Science: Detection of a Natural Antibody Targeting the Shed Ectodomain of BP180 in Mice

According to Mai et al, pemphigoid diseases are characterized by subepidermal blister formation accompanied by autoantibodies targeting skin component molecules, such as BP180. In their study, the authors immunized mice with full-length mouse BP180 (mBP180) to produce anti-mBP180 antibodies. From the immunized mice, hybridoma cells were created to produce anti-mBP180 antibodies. Mai et alanalyzed the characteristics of the anti-mBP180 antibodies that were produced in terms of epitopes, immunoglobulin subclasses, and somatic hypermutations and found that “monoclonal anti-mBP180 [shed ectodomain]EC antibodies react to neoepitopes on the 13th collagenous region of cleaved mBP180, which corresponds to the epitopes of linear IgA bullous dermatosis antibodies in human BP180” and “mice potentially have natural antibodies targeting the neoepitopes of cleaved mBP180 EC.”

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology: Comorbid Conditions Associated with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

To better understand the comorbidities of alopecia areata (AA), Ly et al performed a systematic review and meta-analysis using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies. 3428 abstracts and titles were screened, and 345 full-text articles were reviewed. In total, 102 studies were selected, which included 680,823 patients with AA and 72,011,041 healthy controls. Among patients with AA, comorbidities with the highest odds ratios (OR) compared with healthy controls and data available from more than one study included vitamin D deficiency, systemic lupus erythematous, vitiligo, metabolic syndrome, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

International Journal of Dermatology: Extensive Ecchymotic Patch in a Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Guenther et al reviewed a case of a 68-year-old female patient with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and an extensive focal purpuric patch that had been formed by a confluence of smaller purpuric patches, which had been present for 4 months. The patient was first treated for CLL with bendamustine and rituximab 4 years prior and began treatment with acalabrutinib 5 months prior to presentation when her white blood cell count rose to 147 K/μl. The patient was not on anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents during this time, but the purpuric patch persisted for 4 months and was asymptomatic. Examination revealed that the entire left forearm was affected, resulting in a punch biopsy sent for histopathologic examination. The patient was then diagnosed with acalabrutinib toxicity.

What new studies are most important to you? Share with us by emailing our team at DTEditors@mmhgroup.com.