Fibrinoid Necrosis of the Epithelial Cells of the Skin

Abstract

Siimegi, I. Fibrinoid necrosis of the epithelial cells of the skin. Acta path. microbiol. scand. Sect. A, 84: 468-476, 1976. I t has been shown in previous studies that fibrinoid necrosis not only occurs in connective tissue and in vessel walls, but can also be observed in the liver cells under special conditions and can also be provoked experimentally. I t was observed in the present study that certain dermatoses (cases of the herpes group, erythema multiforme, drug eruptions, Lyell's toxic epidermal necrolysis, pityriasis lichenoides acuta, and skin affected by UV-rays) were associated with "eosinophilic necrosis" in the epithelial cells which morphologically corresponded to the fibrinoid necrosis of the connective tissue and of the liver cells described previously. Besides toxic, infectious and septic conditions, circulatory disturbances (hypoxia, anoxia) appear to have a special significance. Observations by way of the light and fluorescence microscope revealed the characteristics of keratin variants and precursors in some necrobiotic cells which influence the peculiar properties of fibrinoid necrosis of the skin epithelia. The role of the mixed paraproteins is emphasized and reference is made to the role of a mixed paraprotein ("keratofibrinoid") which is formed in the course of the regressive process and to which the morphological changes may be attributed.

Colloid bodies in dermatoses other than lichen planus

“…ac ridine orange, thioflavin S, thiotlavin T and eosin were used as tluorochromes. (for references to the methods, see 12). The pathological processes were divided into groups and the diseases were studied separately.…”

“…The connective tissue seen to contain some lichenoid cell infiltration. The dyskeratosis probably does not belong to the basal disease: its presence can be ex plained by hypoxaemia (12).…”

“…In the CBs in small vesicles or fissures the tints described are often seen in the closely packed CBs. building co-called 1110.wic struct11res or piebald s1ruc111res (12). These indicate phasic changes.…”

“…Trichrome staining: with lvemark's modification of Ladewig's method (12) the dyskeratotic cells and CBs stain brilliant red. as does the basement membrane.…”

“…At the margin of the process. small groups with '•water-clear'' finely vacuoliLed cells are sometimes seen in the vicinity (12,13). These indicate a disturbance of the water balance as a consequence of hypoxia.…”