Homozygous mutations in the 5' region of the JUP gene result in cutaneous disease but normal heart development in children.

Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions and attachment sites for the intermediate filament (IF) cytoskeleton, prominent in tissues subject to high levels of mechanical stress such as the epidermis and heart. The obligate desmosomal constituent, plakoglobin (PG), is involved in coupling transmembrane desmosomal components with IFs. PG also contributes to intercellular adhesion through adherens junctions and has additional signaling roles.

Cutis tricolor coexistent with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita: "phacomatosis achromico-melano-marmorata".

An 8-year-old mentally retarded boy had paired segmental areas of hyper- and hypopigmentation on the left side of his body in association with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) involving the trunk and the limbs, with the exception of parts of his right arm. At the age of 4 years, an aneurysmatic nodular lesion developed in the angle of his right elbow, and subsequently two similar lesions emerged on his forehead and scalp. Moreover, a dysmorphic facial appearance, scoliosis, genu valgum, talipes planus and increased laxity of joints were noted.

Phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica: a follow-up report documenting additional cutaneous and extracutaneous anomalies.

This is a follow-up report on a boy with phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica. At the age of 10 years he had, in addition to a sebaceous nevus and a speckled lentiginous nevus, multiple lesions of a collagen nevus localized on the chin and in the lumbar area. On the left shoulder, a small telangiectatic spot was present within the area of the speckled lentiginous nevus.

Focal dermal hypoplasia: ultrastructural abnormalities of the connective tissue.

We followed over 10 years three girls with focal dermal hypoplasia syndrome. The histopathological changes demonstrated at the optical level an hypoplastic dermis with thin and scarce collagen bundles and a marked diminution of elastic fibers. Mature adipose tissue was found scattered within the papillary and reticular dermis.

Geroderma osteodysplastica. Report of a new family.

We report a family in which geroderma osteodysplastica affected two male siblings. They showed the characteristic features associated with this syndrome: a prematurely aged face with wrinkly, lax skin, more prominent on the acral regions, associated with joint laxity, osteoporosis, and skeletal abnormalities. The main histologic abnormalities were fragmented elastic fibers that were diminished in number.

Desmoplastic hairless hypopigmented nevus (DHHN). A distinct variant of giant melanocytic nevus.

Desmoplastic hairless hypopigmented nevus (DHHN) is the name Ruiz-Maldonado et al. gave to a new variant of giant congenital melanocytic nevus characterized clinically by a hard ligneous consistency, absence of hair and progressive loss of pigment. Histologically, dermal fibrosis consistent with desmoplasia is a predominant feature.

Familial cutaneous collagenoma: a clinicopathologic study of two new cases.

Two siblings with familial cutaneous collagenoma syndrome had the essential clinical features of multiple skin-colored nodules on the trunk and upper arms. On light microscopy, histopathologic findings included excessive accumulation of dense, coarse collagen in the dermis. Elastic tissue stains demonstrated a proportionately diminished number of abnormal elastic fibers intermingled with the collagen bundles.

Linear porokeratosis associated with disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis: a new example of type II segmental involvement.

The coexistence of linear porokeratosis (LP) and disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) in a 3-year-old girl with a family history of DSAP is presented. Happle proposed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) to explain the origin of this unusual phenomenon. Homozygosity would explain why lesions in LP are far more pronounced than those of the associated heterozygous DSAP lesions.