H H Wolff

Publications (93)159.58 Total impact

• Article: Morphologische Veränderungen in melanozytären Nävi durch exogene Faktoren

  M. Tronnier, M. Alexander, M. Neitmann, J. Brinckmann, H. H. Wolff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Die wichtigste Differenzialdiagnose bei der klinischen und der histologischen Beurteilung von melanozytären Nävi ist das maligne Melanom. Eine erythemwirksame UV-Bestrahlung und eine mechanische Irritation von Nävi können reversible morphologische Veränderungen induzieren, die histologisch ein Melanom simulieren. Diese Veränderungen gehen einher mit einer gesteigerten Expression des HMB-45-Antigens. Zudem weisen UV-bestrahlte Nävi eine gesteigerte Proliferation sowie eine vermehrte reparative Aktivität auf. Nach UV-Exposition ist die vermehrte suprabasale Lokalisation von Melanozyten assoziiert mit einer veränderten Expression von Adhäsionsmolekülen der intraepidermalen Keratinozyten. Eine direkte Veränderung der adhäsiven Eigenschaften von Melanozyten durch UV-Licht wird allerdings auch in vitro beobachtet. Daher ist die Entstehung der morphologischen Besonderheiten nach UV-Exposition vermutlich indirekt auf keratinozytenmediierte Faktoren, aber auch auf eine direkte Beeinflussung der Melanozyten durch das UV-Licht zurückzuführen. Trotz der Reversibilität der morphologischen Veränderungen nach exogenem Stimulus ist die Frage nach der biologischen Relevanz nicht sicher geklärt und eine mögliche Bedeutung bei der Initiation der Karzinogenesekaskade des Melanoms zu diskutieren. Malignant melanoma is the most important differential diagnosis in both clinical and histologic examination of melanocytic nevi. UV exposure with an erythemagenic dose and mechanical irritation of melanocytic nevi are able to induce reversible morphologic changes which simulate malignant melanoma. These changes are associated with an increased expression of HMB-45 antigen. In addition, an increased proliferation and repair activity is observed after UV exposure. The increased number of melanocytes located in suprabasal layers of the epidermis is accompanied by a change in keratinocyte adhesion molecule expression. The UV light is also able to influence the adhesive properties of melanocytes in vitro. Therefore, both keratinocyte-derived factors and direct influence of UV on the melanocyte system are probably responsible for the morphologic changes. While these exogenously evoked changes are reversible, the potential biologic relevance – especially a possible role in the initiation of the carcinogenesis cascade – reguires clarification.
  Der Hautarzt 04/2012; 51(8):561-566. · 0.58 Impact Factor
• Article: Reactive angioendotheliomatosis: is it 'intravascular histiocytosis'?

  C H Mensing, S Krengel, M Tronnier, H H Wolff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: We report the case of a 68-year-old female with reactive angioendotheliomatosis (RAE). This case highlights the benign course of this condition and suggests that this entity might be an intravascular histiocytosis.
  Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 04/2005; 19(2):216-9. · 2.98 Impact Factor
• Article: Changes in function and morphology of normal human skin: evaluation using optical coherence tomography.

  J Welzel, C Reinhardt, E Lankenau, C Winter, H H Wolff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive morphological method for investigating human skin. It allows high-resolution in vivo imaging of inflammatory skin diseases and tumours. Because it is a newly developed method, systematic studies on standardization and on evaluation of factors influencing the representation of the skin have not yet been performed. In this study, normal human skin was treated with various external stimuli which induce changes of function and morphology. Changes in stratum corneum thickness as well as changes induced by pigmentation, oedema and erythema were investigated using OCT. Healthy skin of human volunteers was treated with tape stripping, ultraviolet A irradiation, water, histamine, nicotinic acid and various ointments. In the tape stripping experiment, the thickness of the horny layer was quantified and monitored. Pigmentation increased the light attenuation of the tissue, whereas hydration and erythema led to a slight decrease of scattering. Topical treatment of the skin gave a nonspecific increase of penetration depth of the light due to the lower reflectivity of the surface. There are various physiological conditions which influence optical properties of the skin. These parameters should be considered when performing standardized OCT studies.
  British Journal of Dermatology 03/2004; 150(2):220-5. · 3.67 Impact Factor
• Article: Human skin mast cells rapidly release preformed and newly generated TNF-alpha and IL-8 following stimulation with anti-IgE and other secretagogues.

  B F Gibbs, J Wierecky, P Welker, B M Henz, H H Wolff, J Grabbe
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Several groups have previously reported that rodent or human leukemic mast cells produce inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-8 as well as the pro-allergic cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Comparatively little is known, however, regarding the ability of normal human skin mast cells to secrete these factors following either IgE-dependent or IgE-independent modes of activation. We therefore investigated whether normal human skin mast cells produce these cytokines following stimulation by a variety of secretagogues. Enriched isolated skin mast cells released both TNF-alpha and IL-8 following activation with either anti-IgE, SCF, substance P, compound 48/80 or A23187. This release was dose- and time-dependent, with maximal levels being reached within 4 h of stimulation involving, in part, the secretion of preformed stores of both cytokines. In accordance with this, using lysates of highly purified (>90%) skin mast cells, we could demonstrate that both TNF-alpha and IL-8 mRNA and protein were present in both unstimulated as well as stimulated mast cells. In stark contrast to these results, no significant levels of either IL-4, IL-5 or IL-13 were detected, regardless of the secretagogue used or the period of stimulation. These results show that human skin mast cells are capable of rapidly secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-8 following IgE-dependent activation and stimulation by the neuropeptide substance P, SCF and the basic polypeptide analogue compound 48/80. In contrast to other types of human mast cells however, human skin mast cells were incapable of secreting IL-4, IL-5 or IL-13 in these settings.
  Experimental Dermatology 10/2001; 10(5):312-20. · 3.54 Impact Factor
• Article: Mercuric chloride enhances immunoglobulin E-dependent mediator release from human basophils.

  N Strenzke, J Grabbe, K E Plath, J Rohwer, H H Wolff, B F Gibbs
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is an industrial agent known to cause autoimmune disorders and induce IgE synthesis, which plays a crucial role in the manifestation of allergic diseases. In rodents, the immunomodulatory effects of HgCl2 have been shown to involve the enhancement of mast cell-derived IL-4 secretion, which facilitates both Th2-lymphocyte development and IgE production. In humans, rapid allergen-dependent release of IL-4 and the related cytokine IL-13 from histamine-containing cells occurs primarily in basophils, along with other proinflammatory mediators such as histamine and LTC4. In this study, we therefore investigated the effects of HgCl2 on the release of the above basophil mediators, either due to the compound alone or in conjunction with IgE-dependent stimulation. HgCl2 (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) did not induce mediator secretion alone but significantly enhanced the release of histamine, LTC4, IL-4, and IL-13 caused by anti-IgE. Higher concentrations of HgCl2 (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) strikingly reduced cell viability; however, toxicity varied depending on cell density and incubation time. Removal of HgCl2 following a short incubation with basophils did not reverse the potentiating effects on basophil mediator secretion to anti-IgE and the concentration of free mercury in the supernatants significantly diminished by up to 20% after incubation with the cells, indicating irreversible Hg binding to cells. By upregulating IgE-dependent human basophil mediator release, our results clearly indicate that HgCl2 potentially exacerbates allergic disorders and promotes a Th2-cytokine profile.
  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 09/2001; 174(3):257-63. · 4.45 Impact Factor
• Article: Effects of antioxidant vitamins on anti-IgE-induced mediator release from human basophils.

  N Strenzke, J Grabbe, K E Plath, H H Wolff, B F Gibbs
  Inflammation Research 05/2001; 50 Suppl 2:S49-50. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: Effect of chloride channel blockers on anti-IgE-stimulated histamine and IL-4/IL-13 release from human basophils.

  K E Plath, J Grabbe, N Strenzke, H H Wolff, B F Gibbs
  Inflammation Research 05/2001; 50 Suppl 2:S51-2. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: Effects of antioxidant vitamins on anti-IgE-induced mediator release from human basophils

  N. Strenzke, J. Grabbe, K.E.S. Plath, H.H. Wolff, B.F. Gibbs
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: No Abstract
  Inflammation Research 01/2001; 50:S49-S50. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: [Morphological changes in melanocytic nevi induced by exogenous factors].

  M Tronnier, M Alexander, M Neitmann, J Brinckmann, H H Wolff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Malignant melanoma is the most important differential diagnosis in both clinical and histologic examination of melanocytic nevi. UV exposure with an erythemogenic dose and mechanical irritation of melanocytic nevi are able to induce reversible morphologic changes which simulate malignant melanoma. These changes are associated with an increased expression of HMB-45 antigen. In addition, an increased proliferation and repair activity is observed after UV exposure. The increased number of melanocytes located in suprabasal layers of the epidermis is accompanied by a change in keratinocyte adhesion molecule expression. The UV light is also able to influence the adhesive properties of melanocytes in vitro. Therefore, both keratinocyte-derived factors and direct influence of UV on the melanocyte system are probably responsible for the morphologic changes. While these exogenously evoked changes are reversible, the potential biologic relevance--especially a possible role in the initiation of the carcinogenesis cascade--requires clarification.
  Der Hautarzt 09/2000; 51(8):561-6. · 0.58 Impact Factor
• Article: Ambroxol inhibits IgE-dependent mediator secretion from human skin mast cells.

  B F Gibbs, H H Wolff, J Grabbe
  Inflammation Research 05/2000; 49 Suppl 1:S17-8. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: Cytokine release from a human mast cell line (HMC-1) in response to stimulation with anti-IgE and other secretagogues.

  J Wierecky, J Grabbe, H H Wolff, B F Gibbs
  Inflammation Research 05/2000; 49 Suppl 1:S7-8. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: Early IgE-dependent release of IL-4 and IL-13 from leukocytes is restricted to basophils: a comparison with other granulocytes and mononuclear cells.

  B F Gibbs, H Haas, H H Wolff, J Grabbe
  Inflammation Research 05/2000; 49 Suppl 1:S9-10. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: Feature selection for optimized skin tumor recognition using genetic algorithms.

  H Handels, T Ross, J Kreusch, H H Wolff, S J Pöppl
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: In this paper, a new approach to computer supported diagnosis of skin tumors in dermatology is presented. High resolution skin surface profiles are analyzed to recognize malignant melanomas and nevocytic nevi (moles), automatically. In the first step, several types of features are extracted by 2D image analysis methods characterizing the structure of skin surface profiles: texture features based on cooccurrence matrices, Fourier features and fractal features. Then, feature selection algorithms are applied to determine suitable feature subsets for the recognition process. Feature selection is described as an optimization problem and several approaches including heuristic strategies, greedy and genetic algorithms are compared. As quality measure for feature subsets, the classification rate of the nearest neighbor classifier computed with the leaving-one-out method is used. Genetic algorithms show the best results. Finally, neural networks with error back-propagation as learning paradigm are trained using the selected feature sets. Different network topologies, learning parameters and pruning algorithms are investigated to optimize the classification performance of the neural classifiers. With the optimized recognition system a classification performance of 97.7% is achieved.
  Artificial Intelligence in Medicine 08/1999; 16(3):283-97. · 1.35 Impact Factor
• Article: [Calciphylaxis of the skin as a sequela of terminal kidney failure. Report and discussion of 3 cases].

  U Hiss, M Tronnier, P M Rob, H U Gutsche, H H Wolff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Calciphylaxis is a rare syndrome mostly affecting patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism and in some cases with functional protein C or protein S deficiency. Skin lesions begin as superficial painful patches that progress to deep necrotic lesions. The findings are often misdiagnosed as livedo vasculitis and the prognosis is poor. Histopathologically, calcification in the media of small arteries and arterioles with intimal hyperplasia is seen. It is unclear if this morphologic hallmark is pathogenetic. Therapeutically, the calcium-phosphate product should be lowered pharmacologically by an intensified and modified dialysis treatment and parathyroidectomy.
  Der Hautarzt 06/1999; 50(5):350-4. · 0.58 Impact Factor
• Article: [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome].

  J Brinckmann, P Behrens, R Brenner, B Bätge, M Tronnier, H H Wolff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) comprises a heterogenous group of nine hereditary connective tissue disorders, characterized by hyperelasticity of skin and hypermobility of joints to differing extents. The skin is easily injured and wound healing is delayed. The majority of EDS patients belong to EDS-types I-III. The pathogenesis in these cases is not known, although recent data suggest a role for collagen V. In contrast, the etiology of EDS-types IV, VI and VII has been found. While EDS IV is caused by a mutation in the collagen III gene, in EDS VI a mutation in the lysyl hydroxylase gene is present. In EDS VII, the underlying defect is a mutation in the collagen I gene. The EDS-types V, VII and X are very rare; their symptoms resemble those of EDS-type II.
  Der Hautarzt 05/1999; 50(4):257-65. · 0.58 Impact Factor
• Article: Effects of free radical scavengers on histamine release from human basophils stimulated by immunological and non-immunological secretagogues.

  B F Gibbs, H H Wolff, J Grabbe
  Inflammation Research 05/1999; 48 Suppl 1:S13-4. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: Computer-supported diagnosis of melanoma in profilometry.

  H Handels, T Ross, J Kreusch, H H Wolff, S J Pöppl
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Laser profilometry offers new possibilities to improve non-invasive tumor diagnostics in dermatology. In this paper, a new approach to computer-supported analysis and interpretation of high-resolution skin-surface profiles of melanomas and nevocellular nevi is presented. Image analysis methods are used to describe the profile's structures by texture parameters based on co-occurrence matrices, features extracted from the Fourier power spectrum, and fractal features. Different feature selection strategies, including genetic algorithms, are applied to determine the best possible subsets of features for the classification task. Several architectures of multilayer perceptrons with error back-propagation as learning paradigm are trained for the automatic recognition of melanomas and nevi. Furthermore, network-pruning algorithms are applied to optimize the network topology. In the study, the best neural classifier showed an error rate of 4.5% and was obtained after network pruning. The smallest error rate in all, of 2.3%, was achieved with nearest neighbor classification.
  Methods of Information in Medicine 04/1999; 38(1):43-9. · 1.53 Impact Factor
• Article: Ambroxol inhibits the release of histamine, leukotrienes and cytokines from human leukocytes and mast cells.

  B F Gibbs, W Schmutzler, I B Vollrath, P Brosthardt, U Braam, H H Wolff, G Zwadlo-Klarwasser
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The effects of the mucolytic agents ambroxol and N-acetylcystein (NAC) were studied on the release of histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines and superoxide anions from a variety of cells involved in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. Mast cells were isolated from human adenoids and skin (n = 5-6). Basophils, monocytes and granulocytes were obtained from Buffy-coat blood obtained from healthy blood donors (n = 4-7) and enriched by density centrifugation. Ambroxol or NAC were added to the cells for different periods before stimulation with various immunological and non-immunological secretagogues. Histamine release from mast cells, basophils and monocytes was assayed either by radioimmunoassay or spectrofluorometrically. LTC4 (basophils), LTB4 (neutrophil/eosinophil granulocytes or monocytes), IL-4 and IL-13 (basophils) were measured by ELISA. Ambroxol inhibited histamine release by more than 50% from human adenoidal mast cells (1000 microM ambroxol) and skin mast cells (100 microM ambroxol) stimulated by Con A and compound 48/80, respectively. Ambroxol (100 microM) strikingly inhibited anti-IgE induced release of both histamine, LTC4, IL-4 and IL-13 from basophils and reduced both histamine and LTB4 release induced by C5a or Zymosan in monocytes. The drug also reduced LTB4 and superoxide anion production in granulocytes stimulated by zymosan or fMLP. In all cell types studied, ambroxol was more efficacious following a short preincubation (5-15 min) of the drug with the cells before stimulation. In contrast, NAC produced no clear effects on any of the different cell types studied, regardless of the preincubation period, the concentration or the stimulus employed. Unlike NAC, ambroxol is able to not only inhibit acute mediator release from mast cells and leukocytes but also reduce immunomodulatory cytokine generation from basophils and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of allergic respiratory diseases.
  Inflammation Research 03/1999; 48(2):86-93. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: oxfordjournals.org

  Article: Tropical rat mite dermatitis: case report and review.

  P M Engel, J Welzel, M Maass, U Schramm, H H Wolff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Six medical students inhabiting a centuries-old, rat-infested house in Lübeck, in northern Germany, were suffering from itching papules and seropapules. Prior to these patients' visit to our institute, their conditions had been diagnosed as pediculosis, scabies, or pulicosis and treated unsuccessfully with the antiparasitic agent lindane (0.3%). The final diagnosis, tropical rat mite dermatitis, was based on the identification of the arthropod Ornithonyssus bacoti, which has an unsegmented body with eight legs. No treatment was recommended, and the dermatitis disappeared within 2 weeks. Measures taken to prevent reinfestation included extermination of the rats and treatment of the rooms of the house with the acaricide benzyl benzoate. Because the mite O. bacoti spends a relatively short time on a host and penetrates the skin for feeding only, the application of an antiparasitic agent is not necessary. If indicated, treatment should be symptomatic.
  Clinical Infectious Diseases 01/1999; 27(6):1465-9. · 9.15 Impact Factor
• Article: SLS-irritated human skin shows no correlation between degree of proliferation and TEWL increase.

  J Welzel, C Metker, H H Wolff, K P Wilhelm
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: It is well known that cutaneous irritants influence epidermal proliferation but the pathogenesis is poorly understood. Recent investigations have shown that the skin barrier integrity influences the proliferation of the basal keratinocytes. Our question was whether the proliferating activity of keratinocytes is indeed regulated by the degree of skin barrier damage or by a direct toxic action of the irritant on the keratinocytes. Therefore various degrees of skin irritation were induced by the application of 0.1%, 0.5% and 2% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) solution to the forearm skin of six healthy volunteers. This experiment was performed to evaluate the relationship between SLS concentration and epidermal proliferation. In a second experiment another 14 volunteers were treated with a single SLS concentration (0.5%) to look for interindividual differences in the patterns of skin reaction and susceptibility to the irritant. Skin barrier function was evaluated by measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) before and after irritation. Punch biopsies were taken after 96 h from exposed areas and from unexposed normal skin. Dividing keratinocytes were identified immunocytochemically using three different monoclonal antibodies: PCNA, MIB 1 and KiS1. Exposure to SLS resulted in concentration-dependent increases in both TEWL and epidermal proliferation. However, no significant correlation could be found between the degree of hyperproliferation and the TEWL changes. The results suggest that epidermal proliferation is modulated by a direct interaction of the surfactant with the keratinocytes and/or by release of mediators rather than the consequence of a barrier disturbance.
  Archives for Dermatological Research 12/1998; 290(11):615-20. · 2.28 Impact Factor