Antigen Protease Activity on Intact or Tape-Stripped Skin Induces Acute Itch and T Helper Sensitization Leading to Airway Eosinophilia in Mice.

Respiratory allergen sources such as house dust mites frequently contain proteases. In this study, we demonstrated that the epicutaneous application of a model protease antigen, papain, onto intact or tape-stripped ear skin of mice induced acute scratching behaviors and T helper (Th)2, Th9, Th17/Th22, and/or Th1 sensitization in a protease activity-dependent manner. The protease activity of papain applied onto the skin was also essential for subsequent airway eosinophilia induced by an intranasal challenge with low-dose papain.

Skin Treatment with Detergent Induces Dermatitis with H1-Antihistamine-Refractory Itch and Upregulates IL-4 and Th17/Th22 Cytokine Gene Expression in C57BL/6 Mice.

Introduction: Repeated skin contact to detergents causes chronic irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) associated with itch sensation and eczema. However, the mechanisms of detergent-induced ICD are poorly understood. Here, we established a new murine model of detergent-induced ICD with H1-antihistamine-refractory itch.

A Hypothesis for the Pathologic Mechanism of Idiopathic Exophthalmos Based on Computed Tomographic Evaluations.

The causes of idiopathic exophthalmos were still unknown. We used computed tomography to compare the orbital structures of patients with idiopathic exophthalmos and those of a healthy Japanese population. A total of 18 orbits (ranged 17-52 years) in idiopathic exophthalmos and 334 normal orbits (ranged 17-59 years) were included.

Management of chronic expanding haematoma using triamcinolone after latissimus dorsi flap harvesting.

Chronic expanding haematoma (CEH) is a rare type of haematoma that enlarges slowly and continuously without coagulation. It can occur following surgery because of shear stress-induced bleeding in the scar tissue between the subcutaneous fat and fascia. We present three cases of large chronic CEH that were successfully treated with triamcinolone injections.

Intra-eyebrow frontalis suspension using inverted Y-shaped short autogenous fascia lata for blepharoptosis with poor levator function.

Frontalis suspension using autogenous fascia lata is a common procedure for blepharoptosis with poor levator function. However, donor-site morbidity associated with fascia lata harvest cannot be ignored. In conventional procedures, the required length of the fascia lata is usually >5-12 cm with a lateral thigh skin incision of approximately 5 cm or more.

Non-invasive study of gelatinases in sun-exposed and unexposed healthy human skin based on measurements in stratum corneum.

Gelatinases, which belong to the family of matrix metalloproteinases, degrade various components of skin, and may be involved in photoaging, since they are upregulated by low-dose UV exposure to the skin. However, their behavior in healthy human skin is still unclear. In the present study, gelatinases was specifically detected in stratum corneum (SC) of skin from sun-exposed sites, including the face, in healthy humans, but not in SC of skin from unexposed sites.

Possible involvement of gelatinases in basement membrane damage and wrinkle formation in chronically ultraviolet B-exposed hairless mouse.

A number of studies indicate that matrix metalloproteinase might be involved in photoaging, but little is known about their direct contribution to ultraviolet-induced histologic and morphologic changes in the skin in vivo. This study reports the relationship between changes of matrix metalloproteinase activities and ultraviolet B-induced skin changes in hairless mouse. The role of matrix metalloproteinase in the skin changes was studied by topical application of a specific matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.