Further research is needed to determine the functional role of lymphatic vascular electrotaxis in vivo and to investigate possible applications, including stem cell maintenance (9). ConclusionsDirect-current electrical stimulation promoted both cytoskeleton extension of LECs via the FAK pathway and calcium influx, leading to induction of proliferation and migration of LECs to the cathode in vitro. Electric stimuli could be used to control lymphatic function and its related diseases. AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank Suin Kyo for her technical assistance. K.K and Y.M designed, performed the research study and analysed the data. M.S, K.F, N.S and Y.M performed the research and analysed the data. K.K wrote the paper, Y.T and T.A contributed the development of DC application instrument for the study. Conflict of interestsThe authors have declared no conflicting interests. Supporting InformationAdditional supporting data may be found in the supplementary information of this article. Data S1. Complete materials and methods. Figure S1. Schematic illustration of DC application for migration assay of LECs. Abstract: S100A9 and S100A8 are called damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules because of their proinflammatory properties. Few studies have evaluated S100A9 and S100A8 function as DAMP molecules in atopic dermatitis (AD). We investigated how house-dust mites affect S100A9 and S100A8 expression in Th2 cytokine-and Th17 cytokine-treated keratinocytes, and how secretion of these molecules affects keratinocyte-derived cytokines. Finally, we evaluated expression of these DAMP molecules in AD patients. S100A9 expression and S100A8 expression were strongly induced in IL-17A-and Dermatophagoides (D.) farinae-treated keratinocytes, respectively. Furthermore, co-treatment with D. farinae and IL-17A strongly increased expression of S100A9 and S100A8 compared with D. farinae-Th2 cytokine co-treatment. The IL-33 mRNA level increased in a dose-dependent manner in S100A9-treated keratinocytes, but TSLP expression did not change. S100A8/A9 levels were also higher in the lesional skin and serum of AD patients, and correlated with disease severity. Taken together, S100A9 and S100A8 may be involved in inducing DAMPmediated inflammation in AD triggered by IL-17A and house-dust mites.

BackgroundVitiligo and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common dermatological disorders which may cause significant psychological and social distress leading to impaired quality of life (QoL) in patients.ObjectiveWe evaluated the degree of psychological stress and impairment of QoL in vitiligo patients as compared with AD patients and normal controls (NCs).MethodsA total of 60 patients from each group and 60 NCs were enrolled. Five questionnaires on depression (Beck depression inventory, BDI), state anxiety (SA) and trait anxiety (TA), interaction anxiousness (IAS), private body consciousness (PBC) and dermatologic QoL were used.ResultsThe vitiligo patients had a significantly higher level of TA (p<0.01), PBC (p<0.001) and impaired QoL (p<0.001) than NCs, but not BDI, SA and IAS. The AD patients had significantly higher scores for all five questionnaire items compared with NCs. In the comparison between the AD and vitiligo groups, all of the indexes except body consciousness were higher in AD patients than in vitiligo patients: BDI (p<0.01), SA (p<0.05), TA (p<0.001), IAS (p<0.01) and impaired QoL (p<0.001). Exposure of vitiligo lesions was not a significant variable in the analysis of the contribution of clinical variables of vitiligo on psychological stress and QoL.ConclusionVitiligo, which is not accompanied by any symptoms, involves less psychological impact than AD, which is accompanied by itching. Compared to NCs, however, the elevated general anxiety and body consciousness in patients with vitiligo suggests that they may be more concerned with the aggravation of hypopigmented patches than difficulties in social interactions.

PurposeIn extrinsic atopic dermatitis (AD), house dust mites (HDM) play a role in eliciting or aggravating allergic lesions. The nature of skin inflammation in AD has raised a growing interest in allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). Thus, we assessed clinical improvement and laboratory parameters for evaluation of the benefit of long-term SIT.Materials and MethodsA total of 217 AD patients who were treated with SIT for at least 3 years were retrospectively assessed, by using their investigator global assessment, pruritus scores, loss of sleep (LOS), total serum IgE, and eosinophil counts collected. Patients were additionally classified into subgroups according to age, initial AD severity and mono- or multi-sensitization to include different individual factors in the evaluation of SIT efficacy. Lastly, we compared laboratory data of good responders to SIT with that of poor responders to SIT.ResultsImprovement after SIT therapy was observed in 192 out of 217 patients (88.4%). Among these patients, 138 (63.5%) achieved excellent, near-complete or complete clinical remission. Significant reduction of pruritus, LOS, and the mean value of total serum IgE were observed (p<0.01). Better outcome was found in patients younger than 12 years of age (p=0.024). Patients with moderate to severe AD showed better treatment outcomes (p=0.036). Patients sensitized only to HDM had the better response to treatment, but SIT was also effective in multi-sensitized groups (p=1.051). No significant differences in baseline laboratory results were observed between good and poor responders (p>0.05).ConclusionWe emphasize the usefulness of long-term HDM SIT as a disease-modifying therapy for AD.

The use of CO(2) FS can have a positive therapeutic effect on periorbital syringomas.

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