Syndecans function as receptors for extracellular matrix (ECM) with integrins in cell spreading. However, the molecular mechanism of their specific involvement in cell migration or in wound healing has not been elucidated yet. Here, we report that a synthetic peptide, PEP75, which contains the syndecan-binding sequence of the laminin alpha 3LG4 module, induces keratinocyte migration in in vitro and in vivo. Soluble PEP75 induced the clustering of syndecan-4 and conformation-modified integrin beta1 colocalized with syndecan-4 in soluble PEP75-induced clusters. Treatment of cells in solution with PEP75 resulted in the exposure of the P4G11 antibody epitope of integrin beta1 in immunostaining as well as in flow cytometry and augmented integrin beta1-dependent cell adhesion to ECM. Pulldown assays demonstrated that PEP75 bound to syndecan-4, but not to integrin beta1. A siRNA study revealed a role for syndecan-4 in PEP75-induced up-regulation of P4G11 antibody binding and migration of HaCaT cells. We conclude that binding of soluble PEP75 to syndecan-4 induces the coupling of integrin beta1, which is associated with integrin beta1-conformational changes and activation, and leads to keratinocyte migration. To activate integrin function through syndecans could be a novel therapeutic approach for chronic wound.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) primarily affects organs that are abundant in elastic fibers, such as the skin, eye and blood vessels, and may eventually cause loss of vision or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Because CVD is a potentially life-threatening complication, its early detection is important for improving the quality of life of PXE patients. To determine the relationship between the distribution of skin and mucous membrane lesions and the prevalence of CVD in patients with PXE, we examined 14 PXE cases who presented between 2004 and 2007. All patients had angioid streaks (AS) and positive pathological findings. The skin lesions in PXE patients are distributed discontinuously and thus the degrees of skin involvement were assessed by determining the presence or absence of PXE skin and mucous membrane lesions in six sites (oral mucosa, neck, periumbilical region, cubital fossa, axillae and inguinal regions). Each site was given a binary score (i.e. present = 1, absent = 0) irrespective of severity and the scores were summed to yield a total distribution score (potential range of 0-6). Four cases had PXE-associated CVD. Their mean distribution score was 5.7, which was significantly higher than the score of the cases without CVD (1.8) (P = 0.0049). There was also significant correlation between the high distribution score (P = 0.0053) as well as CVD (P = 0.029) with the maximum width of AS. A higher distribution score and the presence of oral mucosal lesions were associated with CVD. This scoring method may be useful for predicting the presence of CVD in PXE patients.

Purpose: The mechanical energy of sperm is an optimal index with which to quantitatively assess the motility of sperm. The sperm energy index (SEI) is proposed as an index representing the total mechanical energy of sperm in a single field when measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). CASA systems can automatically view multiple fields in a specimen chamber to capture the images of sperm from a microscope, are capable of measuring sperm motility and kinematics using a computer. The mechanical energy of a single sperm is given by (SEI/motile sperm count) × 100 which has been designated S-SEI. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between SEI or S-SEI and fertilization rate in conventional IVF (cIVF). Methods:The materials used were 904 ova from 101 couples who underwent cIVF. SEI were measured in a suspension of sperm prior to insemination.Results: Couples were classified into 4 groups based on a median SEI of 4.1 and a median S-SEI of 4.7. Couples in group D (SEI < 4.1 and S-SEI >= 4.7) had the highest rate of normal fertilization 73.9% and the lowest rate of polyspermic fertilization. Couples in group B (SEI >= 4.1 and S-SEI >= 4.7) had the highest rate of polyspermic fertilization. Conclusions:A combination of the SEI and the S-SEI can serve as a criterion with which to determine whether couples should continue to undergo cIVF.

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Sir,Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma (EAH) is a rare benign hamartoma of eecrine glands and biood vessels. It most commonly develops before adulthood as a single, slowgrowing lesion on the extremities. We describe here a case of adull-onset EAH with generalized multiple hairy reddish-brown indurated plaques with a rapidly progressive course. As the lesions showed histopathological findings such as an increase in mature eccrine glands and blood vessels, the diagnosis was determined to be EAH. This case was observed carefully because tlie lesion had characteristies not only of a hamartoma but also of a tumour. CASE REPORTA 40-year-old man presented with a 5-year history of multiple enlarging plaques on his trunk and extremities. The first lesion appeared on his right thigh as a reddish-brown plaque. Within one year of onset, new plaques and nodules began to develop on his trunk and other extremities. All ofthe lesions increased in size continuously. Some were associated with occasional stabbing pain, but otherwise they were asymptomatic. Physical examination revealed as many as 1 5 reddishbrown plaques and flat nodules over the patient's chest, abdomen, back, buttock, left axilla, legs, arms, and ieft dorsal hand with or without mild hypcrtrichosis (Fig. 1). Some lesions showed moderate indurations. At a 2-year follow-up visit, all lesions showed considerable enlargement. The 2 indurated plaques on the upper back had grown into a singie fused large plaque of --25x50 cm. Some lesions that initially were only mildly hypertrichotic had even more thickened hair {Fig. 1).Biopsied specimens taken from lesions on the right forearm demonstrated increased well-differentiated sweat glands and partially dilated vascular channels in the deeper dermis (Fig. 2). Two types of blood vessel proliferation were noted: one with thick walls as seen in cavernous haemangioma and the other with thin walls like those of capillary haemangioma ( Fig. 213 and C). Abundant mucin deposition surrounded the proliferating units of eecrine glands and vessels (Fig. 2C). Mild Fig. I. Clinical appearance ofthe reddish-brown plaques on: (A) left dorsal hand; (B) medial sideorilie right forearm; (C) bultock, and; (D) righl upper back. The lesions in (A) and (B) show aggressive cnlargcmeiil iind mort' severe hypcrtrichosis uiler 2 years of observation (A(2y), B(2y)). Ada Derm Venereot 87