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ABSTRACT: Immune privilege (IP) is believed to exist in the anagen hair follicle (HF). Studies have shown down-regulation of MHC Class I occurs and immunosuppressive factors are expressed in the HF bulb and bulge. However, demonstration and quantitation of functional IP in HF cells is required. We examined the middle (sheath) and lower (bulb) portions of the human HF using quantitative PCR, immunohistology, ELISA, in vitro co-culture with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and flow cytometry. We found that HF cells, relative to non-follicular epidermal cells, failed to promote allogeneic PBMC proliferation and CD4(+) and CD8(+) IFNg production. By qPCR we found significant downregulation of Class I and Class II HLA alleles in both the bulb and sheath and upregulation of multiple immunoregulatory genes. Notably, somatostatin (SST) was significantly upregulated relative to epidermis. By immunohistochemistry, SST was most strongly expressed in the HF outer root sheath, and by ELISA, cultured sheath cells secreted SST. PBMCs, cultured with stimulatory allogeneic epidermal cells and SST, secreted significantly less IFNg than controls. Addition of SST antagonists to PBMCs co-cultured with allogeneic HF cells increased IFNg secretion. The data identify SST as a secretory factor potentially contributing to the HF IP repertoire.Journal of Investigative Dermatology accepted article preview online, 31 January 2013;. doi:10.1038/jid.2013.53.
Journal of Investigative Dermatology 01/2013; · 6.31 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A hair disorder can be difficult to define, but patients are typically motivated to seek treatment when their hair growth patterns are significantly different from their cultural group or when growth patterns change significantly. The causes of hair disorders are many and varied, but fundamentally the disorder is a consequence of aberrant alterations of normal hair biology. The potential trigger factors for hair disorders can be attributed to inflammation, genetics, the environment, or hormones, of which the relative contributions vary for different diagnoses, between individuals, and over time. This article discusses the causal mechanisms for the disordered hair follicle.
Dermatologic clinics 01/2013; 31(1):1-19. · 1.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We conducted a microarray study to discover gene expression patterns associated with a lack of melanogenesis in non-pigmented hair follicles (HF) by microarray. Pigmented and non-pigmented HFs were collected and micro-dissected into the hair bulb (HB) and the upper hair sheaths (HS) including the bulge region. In comparison to pigmented HS and HBs, nucleotide excision repair (NER) family genes ERCC1, ERCC2, ERCC3, ERCC4, ERCC5, ERCC6, XPA, NTPBP, HCNP, DDB2 and POLH exhibited statistically significantly lower expression in non- pigmented HS and HBs. Quantitative PCR verified microarray data and identified ERCC3 as highly differentially expressed. Immunohistochemistry confirmed ERCC3 expression in HF melanocytes. A reduction in ERCC3 by siRNA interference in human melanocytes in vitro reduced their tyrosinase production ability. Our results suggest that loss of NER gene function is associated with a loss of melanin production capacity. This may be due to reduced gene transcription and/or reduced DNA repair in melanocytes which may eventually lead to cell death. These results provide novel information with regard to melanogenesis and its regulation.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(5):e34185. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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Journal of Investigative Dermatology 11/2010; 130(11):2677-80. · 6.31 Impact Factor
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Ting Kin Cheung,
Xiaohua Hou,
Kwok Fai Lam,
Jie Chen,
Wai Man Wong,
Hui Cha,
Harry H X Xia,
Annie O O Chan,
Teresa S M Tong, Gigi Y C Leung,
Man F Yuen,
Benjamin C Y Wong
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ABSTRACT: Chest pain is common and data regarding noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) in Asia are lacking.
To determine the differences in clinical presentations, psychologic impact, and quality of life between patients with NCCP and cardiac chest pain (CCP), and to identify any factors that impacted on these patients.
Consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of chest pain were recruited in Hong Kong and Wuhan, China. One hundred and forty patients with abnormal and 141 patients with normal angiography were included in the study. The validated gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used for assessment.
NCCP patients reported similar days-off work and impairment of their social life compared with those with CCP. No difference was found in the anxiety and depression scores between the 2 groups. NCCP patients with reflux symptoms had higher anxiety score (7.19 vs. 5.74, P=0.044), reported more interruption of their social life (26% vs. 5%, P<0.0001), and had taken more sick leaves (17% vs. 5%, P=0.018) compared with those without gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The quality of life and psychologic impact of patients with NCCP were as significant as those with CCP. NCCP patients with reflux symptoms were more anxious and were impaired in their productivity and social life.
Journal of clinical gastroenterology 08/2008; 43(1):13-8. · 2.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate if increased dietary fiber, in terms of kiwifruit, is effective in Chinese constipated patients.
33 constipated patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited for a 4-wk treatment of kiwi fruit twice daily. Response during wk 1-4 was defined as an increase in complete spontaneous bowl, motion (CSBM) > or = 1/wk. Secondary efficacy included response during wk 1-4, individual symptoms and scores of bowel habits and constipation. Responses were compared with the baseline run-in period. Colonic transit time and anorectal manometry were performed before and after treatment.
Responder rate was 54.5% in the constipated group. The mean CSBM increased after treatment (2.2 +/- 2.6 vs 4.4 +/- 4.6, P = 0.013). There was also improvement in the scores for bothersomeness of constipation (P = 0.02), and satisfaction of bowel habit (P = 0.001), and decreased in days of laxative used (P = 0.003). There was also improvement in transit time (P = 0.003) and rectal sensation (P < 0.05). However, there was no change in the bowel symptoms or anorectal physiology in the healthy subjects.
Increasing dietary fiber intake is effective in relieving chronic constipation in Chinese population.
World Journal of Gastroenterology 09/2007; 13(35):4771-5. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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Annie On On Chan,
Wai Mo Hui, Gigi Leung,
Teresa Tong,
Ivan F N Hung,
Pierre Chan,
Axel Hsu,
David But,
Benjamin C Y Wong,
Shiu Kum Lam,
Kwok Fai Lam
Gut 04/2007; 56(3):451-2. · 10.11 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We observed that there is familial aggregation in patients with functional constipation. Their clinical characteristics have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with functional constipation with and without a positive family history.
Patients with functional constipation satisfying Rome II criteria were recruited. A Rome II questionnaire on constipation was given to the patients' families to identify whether there were any family members with idiopathic constipation. The clinical characteristics between those with and without positive family history were evaluated.
There were 118 patients with at least one first-degree relative with idiopathic constipation and 114 patients without a positive family history. The patients in the 2 groups were comparable in mean age (P = .3) and sex distribution (P = .09). Patients with positive family history had a younger age of onset (median, 11-20 years vs 21-30 years, P < .0001); longer duration of constipation (20 +/- 14 vs 15 +/- 13, P = .016); more complications, eg, symptomatic hemorrhoids, anal fissure, and rectal prolapse (54.2% vs 40.4%, P = .034); less precipitating factors leading to the onset of constipation (35.6% vs 49.1%, P = .037); more frequent use of digital evacuation (27.1% vs 13.2%, P = .008), but no difference in the association with psychological disorders (P = .3); transit time (P = .5); or manometric dyssynergia (P = .5).
Patients with idiopathic constipation and with a positive family history exhibited different clinical characteristics. This might be related to the early age of onset of the symptoms, which might, in turn, give clues to the underlying etiology.
Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology: the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 02/2007; 5(2):197-200. · 5.64 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Clinical observation showed that there is family aggregation in constipated subjects, but formal data are lacking. This prompted us to conduct a formal family study in constipated subjects.
Constipated subjects (probands) were identified according to the Rome II and Chinese constipation questionnaire criteria, healthy subjects were chosen as controls. Living first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) and spouses (as internal controls) from both groups were identified. The questionnaire on Rome II criteria was given to the relatives either through the index subjects or by mail. The questionnaire was received by mailing back or through the index subjects. Any nonresponders were chased.
There were 132 probands with constipation and 114 controls. The Rome II questionnaire was sent to a total of 677 relatives of the probands and 591 of the controls. Relatives were comparable in mean age, sex distribution, family size, and marital status in the two groups. Constipation prevalence was 16.4% in probands' relatives versus 9.1% in controls' relatives, i.e., 13% in the relatives from both proband and controls. Among the constipated relatives, 6.3%versus 9.3% of the relatives were spouses of the probands and controls (P = 0.5). Subjects with more family members having constipation will have higher risk of constipation: OR 2.02, CI 1.14-3.65, P = 0.0177 for at least one family member; OR 3.99, CI 1.86-9.23, P = 0.0006 for at least two family members.
Familial aggregation of constipation occurs, supporting a genetic or intrafamilial environment component.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology 02/2007; 102(1):149-52. · 7.28 Impact Factor
