Efficacy of Treatments for Cholestatic Pruritus: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis.

Cholestatic itch is a disabling symptom that may be secondary to liver or biliary diseases. Management of cholestatic pruritus is complex. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of treatments for cholestatic pruritus were performed.

Comparative transcriptional profiling of human Merkel cells and Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma is believed to be derived from Merkel cells after infection by Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and other poorly understood events. Transcriptional profiling using cDNA microarrays was performed on cells from MCPy-negative and MCPy-positive Merkel cell carcinomas and isolated normal Merkel cells. This microarray revealed numerous significantly upregulated genes and some downregulated genes.

Effect of human skin explants on the neurite growth of the PC12 cell line.

The skin is a densely innervated organ. After a traumatic injury, such as an amputation, burn or skin graft, nerve growth and the recovery of sensitivity take a long time and are often incomplete. The roles played by growth factors and the process of neuronal growth are crucial.

Characterization of neurons from adult human skin-derived precursors in serum-free medium : a PCR array and immunocytological analysis.

Adult stem cells could be small sources of neurons or other cellular types for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Recently, pluripotent stem cells have been extracted from skin tissue, which opened a new accessible source for research. To routinely obtain a high yield of functional neurons from adult human skin stem cells with defined serum-free medium, stem cells from abdominal skin were cultured in serum-free medium.

Effects of the re-innervation of organotypic skin explants on the epidermis.

The nervous system takes part in skin homeostasis and interacts with skin cells. In in vitro organotypic skin models, these interactions are lost owing to the absence of nerve endings. We have developed an in vitro organotypic skin model based on a re-innervated human skin explant using primary sensory neurons from the dorsal root ganglia of rats.

Immunohistochemical localization of hepatopancreatic phospholipase in gastropods mollusc, Littorina littorea and Buccinum undatum digestive cells.

Background: Among the digestive enzymes, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolyzes the essential dietary phospholipids in marine fish and shellfish. However, we know little about the organs that produce PLA2, and the ontogeny of the PLA2-cells. Accordingly, accurate localization of PLA2 in marine snails might afford a better understanding permitting the control of the quality and composition of diets and the mode of digestion of lipid food.

Immunohistochemical localization of hepatopancreatic phospholipase A2 in Hexaplex trunculus digestive cells.

Background: Mammalian sPLA2-IB localization cell are well characterized. In contrast, much less is known about aquatic primitive ones. The aquatic world contains a wide variety of living species and, hence represents a great potential for discovering new lipolytic enzymes and the mode of digestion of lipid food.

CD8 positive T cells express IL-17 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and irreversible chronic inflammatory disease of the lung. The nature of the immune reaction in COPD raises the possibility that IL-17 and related cytokines may contribute to this disorder. This study analyzed the expression of IL-17A and IL-17F as well as the phenotype of cells producing them in bronchial biopsies from COPD patients.

Development of an in vitro coculture of primary sensitive pig neurons and keratinocytes for the study of cutaneous neurogenic inflammation.

Cutaneous neurogenic inflammation (CNI) is often associated with skin disorders. Activated sensory neurons secrete neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP), which initiate or aggravate inflammation in the skin. The discovery of new molecules acting on these neurons is hampered by the difficulty of reproducing the interactions between nerve endings and skin in vitro.

Effects of sangre de drago in an in vitro model of cutaneous neurogenic inflammation.

Sangre de drago (SD) is a viscous bright red resin collected from Croton lechleri trees that grow in the South American jungle. This sap is used extensively in the native pharmacopoeia to treat skin disorders. Its effectiveness as an inhibitor of neurogenic inflammation has been recently demonstrated.

Merkel cells as putative regulatory cells in skin disorders: an in vitro study.

Merkel cells (MCs) are involved in mechanoreception, but several lines of evidence suggest that they may also participate in skin disorders through the release of neuropeptides and hormones. In addition, MC hyperplasias have been reported in inflammatory skin diseases. However, neither proliferation nor reactions to the epidermal environment have been demonstrated.

The epidermis: a sensory tissue.

The skin is an efficient barrier which protects our bodies from the external environment but it is also an important site for the perception of various stimuli. Sensory neurones of the peripheral nervous system send many primary afferent fibres to the skin. They pass through the dermis and penetrate the basement membrane to innervate epidermal cells or remain as free endings.

Merkel cells.

Merkel cells are post-mitotic cells scattered throughout the epidermis of vertebrates. They are particularly interesting because of the close connections that they develop with sensory nerve endings and the number of peptides they can secrete. These features suggest that they may make an important contribution to skin homeostasis and cutaneous nerve development.