Characteristics of Atopic Dermatitis in a Post-childhood Atopic March Group

( Hemin Lee ),( Jung U Shin ),( Jungsoo Lee ),( Howard Chu ),( Kwang Hoon Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2017 大韓皮膚科學會誌 Vol.55 No.2

Background: Little knowledge is available on the characteristic differences between patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with and without atopic march after childhood. Objective: To observe and compare the phenotypes of patients with AD in regards to atopic march tendency at a single point. Methods: We enrolled patients with AD aged between 10 and 30 years. The patients were divided into the atopic march and non-atopic march groups on the basis of an investigator-designed survey questionnaire, and their serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels or results of the skin prick test were compared. Results: In a total of 182 patients enrolled in the study, 93 patients with atopic march and 89 patients with non-atopic march were observed. When their serum-specific IgE levels or results of the skin prick test were compared between the two groups, there was no significant difference, except for a in the atopic march group. Analysis of AD severity, family history of allergic diseases, and total IgE levels between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that although no apparent phenotype characteristics could differentiate the presence of atopic march, the history of the patient`s allergic diseases should be revalidated, and clinicians should watch out for future developments of atopic march when a patient shows a high-class sensitization rate to dust mite. (Korean J Dermatol 2017;55(2):110∼115)

Clinical, histological, and skin microbiome characteristics of head and neck dermatitis in adult atopic dermatitis

( Hemin Lee ),( Howard Chu ),( Jungsoo Lee ),( Jung U Shin ),( Chang Ook Park ),( Ji Yeon Noh ),( Seo Hyung Kim ),( Ji Hye Kim ),( Kwang Hoon Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2015 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.67 No.2

Background: Head and neck dermatitis (HND) is a unique subtype of atopic dermatitis (AD) which commonly manifests in late adolescence or adulthood. Its presentation of chronic eczematous lesions with diffuse erythema and pruritus is often refractory to therapy and affects patient’s quality of life. However, HND is often underappreciated in clinics and detailed studies characterizing this specific AD subtype is very limited.Objectives: This study sought to analyze the clinical and histological characteristics of HND patients. Methods: Clinical and histological features of HND patients were analyzed. Also, microbiome analysis of HND patients in comparison to non-HND(N-HND) AD andnormal(NL) subjects was performed. Results: Compared to N-HND patients, HND initially presented with increased severity and elevated serum total IgE and serum specific IgE reactivity to Dermatophagoides farinae. Histologically, HND specimen showed thickened epidermis with increased vascular components and dermal inflammatory infiltrates. Although staining intensity did not differ between HND and NL specimen, the absolute number of staining intensity measurement was all higher in HND, supporting a contributory role of pro- inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and neuroinflammatory factors in the HND pathogenesis. Conclusion: HND is a clinical subtype of AD that needs distinction from classical AD. Further investigation of skin microbiome and inflammatory factors will lead to development of potential therapeutic targets.

Hepatotoxic and Immunotoxic Effects produced by 1,3-Dibromopropane and Its Conjugation with Glutathione in Female BALB/c Mice

Lee, Sang Kyu,Lee, Dong Ju,Jeong, Hemin,Bista, Sudeep R.,Kang, Mi Jeong,Lee, Eung Seok,Son, Jong Keun,Nam, Doo Hyun,Chang, Hyeun Wook,Lee, Seung Ho,Jahng, Yurngdong,Jeong, Tae Cheon Taylor Francis 2007 Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Pa Vol.70 No.15

<P> To determine a possible role of glutathione (GSH) conjugation in 1,3-dibromopropane (1,3-DBP)-induced hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity, female BALB/c mice were treated orally with 1,3-DBP. Based on the liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) analyses, two forms of S-bromopropyl GSH were observed at m/z 427.9 and 429.9 in the positive ESI spectrum with a retention time of 5.29 and 5.23 min, respectively. Following single treatment of mice with 150, 300 or 600 mg/kg 1,3-DBP for 12 hr, the amount of S-bromopropyl GSH was detected maximally in liver homogenates at 600 mg/kg 1,3-DBP. Hepatic GSH levels were significantly decreased by treatment with 1,3-DBP. In a time course study, production of S-bromopropyl GSH rose maximally 6 hr after treatment and decreased gradually thereafter. The liver weights were significantly increased by treatment with 600 mg/kg 1,3-DBP. When mice were treated orally with 600 mg/kg 1,3-DBP for 12 hr, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were increased by 365- and 83-fold. In addition, oral 1,3-DBP significantly suppressed the antibody response to a T-dependent antigen at 600 mg/kg 1,3-DBP. 1,3-DBP elevated hepatic levels of malondialdehyde and suppressed the activities of some hepatic enzymes involved in anti-oxidation. Taken together, the formation of GSH conjugate with 1,3-DBP may deplete cellular GSH and, subsequently, produce hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity via damage to the cellular anti-oxidative system.</P>

Identifying the allergic march related proteins in post-adolescent allergic march patients using proteomic analysis

( Howard Chu ),( Jung U Shin ),( Ji Yeon Noh ),( Seo Hyung Kim ),( Nara Lee ),( Jin Shan ),( Hemin Lee ),( Jungsoo Lee ),( Chang Ook Park ),( Ju Hee Lee ),( Kwang Hoon Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2015 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.67 No.2

Background: Early onset of childhood eczema, more severe eczema, and family history of atopic diseases are factors contributing to the development of allergic march. In childhood, barrier defect and immune dysregulation involving thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) are contributors in the development of allergic march. However, the characterization of allergic march patients who retain AD beyond childhood was never fully explored. Objectives: We aimed to compare the serum and T cells of AD patients who developed allergic march and who did not. Methods: 2-D Difference Gel Electrophoresis(2D-DIGE) analysis was performed for serum proteins and TMT labeled quantitative proteomics for T cell. Results: In serum proteome analysis, 11 proteins including exophilin 5 and Zinc finger protein 443 were upregulatedand 17 proteins including Zinc alpha 2-glycoprotein were downregulated in allergic march developed AD patients. Among the Gaussian fit 95% over proteins, 8 proteins were downregulated and 64 proteins were upregulated in T cell of allergic march developed AD patients. Among upregulated proteins, 12 proteins including vacuolar protein sorting associated protein 4A, Ras GTPase- activating protein 1, ADP/ATP translocase 3, protein THEM6, Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein were increased more in allergic march developed AD patients than AD only patients. Conclusion: The biomarker to predict allergic march has not been found yet, and these proteins could be the candidates of novel allergic march biomarkers

FCP 4 : Prediction of MED in vitiligo patients using melanin index for individualization of NUVB starting dose

( Hemin Lee ),( Yoon Jee Kim ),( Sang Ho Oh ) 대한피부과학회 2013 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.65 No.2

Background: Narrow band ultraviolet B (NUVB) is a commonly used treatment option for vitiligo although there is difficulty choosing the appropriate starting dose. Objectives: In search of an efficient tool for setting up a starting dose for NUVB, we measured melanin index of lesional and non-lesional skin of vitiligo along with MED values. Methods: We selected 10 Korean patients with SPT III-IV. All patients denied of sun exposure or treatment for vitiligo in the past 3 months. Prior to performing photo test, we measured melanin index from both lesional and non-lesional area using Mexameter. Results: The average of MED in lesion was 467.5 and non-lesion was 690; MED of lesional area was approximately 67.75% of non-lesional skin. Average of melanin index of lesional skin was 59.3 and 119.9 in non-lesional skin. In addition, there was correlation between lesional MED with melanin index of lesional skin (r=0.730, p=0.017) and non-lesional skin (r=0.651, p=0.042). Non-lesional MED value and non-lesional melanin index (r=0.745, p=0.013) also showed correlation Conclusion: Our study observed MED and melanin index among Korean population with relatively similar SPT and a wide range of melanin index values were observed. Based on correlation between MED and melanin index, we believe that lesional MED can be predicted from lesional melanin index of each individual. Furthermore, if such prediction be possible, melanin index can be applied as a practical tool in deciding individualized starting dosage.

Exploration on clinical, histological, and skin microbiome characteristics in atopic head and neck dermatitis

( Hemin Lee ),( Howard Chu ),( Jung U Shin ),( Kwang Hoon Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2015 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.67 No.2

Background: Head and neck dermatitis (HND) is a unique subtype of atopic dermatitis (AD) which commonly manifests in late adolescence or adulthood. However, HND is often underappreciated in clinics and detailed studies characterizing this specific AD subtype is very limited. Objectives: This study sought to analyze the clinical, histological, and microbiome characteristics of HND patients. Methods: A database of 5007 AD patients visiting a single university level hospital was analyzed for clinical analysis. For histological analysis, facial lesions from 3 normal and 3 HND patients were chosen and underwent imageanalysis and immunohistochemistry. Microbiome analysis was performed on HND, non-HND AD patients, and control, 5 patients for each group with 16S rRNA PCR amplification and sequencing. Results: The results showed HND patients comprising approximately 2.4% of AD patients in an outpatient clinic setting. Histologically, HND specimen showed thickened epidermis with increased vascular components and dermal inflammatory infiltrates. Lastly, the microbiome analysis of HND in comparison to N-HND AD and NL subjects showed no significant difference in the diversity of bacterial community. Conclusion: This study reaffirm that HND is a clinical subtype of AD that needs distinction from classical AD. In the future, further investigation of skin microbiome and inflammatory factors involved in vasculatures of AD facial regions will lead to development of potential therapeutic targets.

Proteomic Profiling Reveals Upregulated Protein Expression of Hsp70 in Keloids

Lee, Ju Hee,Shin, Jung U.,Jung, Inhee,Lee, Hemin,Rah, Dong Kyun,Jung, Jin Young,Lee, Won Jai Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2013 BioMed research international Vol.2013 No.-

<P><I>Background.</I> The biochemical characteristics of keloid-derived fibroblasts differ from those of adjacent normal fibroblasts, and these differences are thought to be the cause of abnormal fibrosis. Therefore, we investigated the characteristic proteins that are differentially expressed in keloid-derived fibroblasts using proteomics tools. <I>Objective.</I> We attempted to investigate the novel proteins that play important roles in the pathophysiology of keloids. <I>Methods.</I> Proteomics analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins in keloid-derived fibroblasts. Keloid-derived fibroblasts and adjacent normal fibroblasts were analyzed with 2-DAGE. We validated these proteins with immunoblot analysis, real-time RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. <I>Results.</I> Sixteen differentially expressed protein spots were identified in keloid-derived fibroblasts. Among them, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) was specifically upregulated in keloid-derived fibroblasts. Also, immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis revealed increased Hsp70, TGF-<I><I>β</I></I>, and PCNA expressions in keloids compared to normal tissue. <I>Conclusion.</I> Hsp70 is overexpressed in keloid fibroblasts and tissue. The overexpression of Hsp70 may be involved in the pathogenesis of keloids, and the inhibition of Hsp70 could be a new therapeutic tool for the treatment of keloids.</P>

Letter to the Editor : The Clinical Efficacy of Azathioprine in Korean Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

( Hemin Lee ),( Jung U Shin ),( Kwang Hoon Lee ) 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.6

도시 리질리언스 향상을 위한 재해별 그린인프라 유형 고찰

이혜민(Lee, Hemin),유수진(You, Soojin),박사무엘(Park, Samuel),전진형(Chon, Jinhyung) 대한국토·도시계획학회 2018 國土計劃 Vol.53 No.1

Acute ulcer of vulva (Lipschutz ulcer): Different disease entity from Behcet`s disease

( Young In Lee ),( Hemin Lee ),( Shinwon Hwang ),( Do Young Kim ) 대한피부과학회 2016 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.68 No.1

Lipschutz ulcers refer to the ulceration of vulva or lower vagina of non-venereal origin that usually presents in young women, especially virgins. We report a case of acute ulceration of vulva in an adolescent patient, who was initially diagnosed as suspected Behcet’s disease, and was finally diagnosed as Lipschutz ulcer. A 14-year-old female visited a gynecology clinic with a single acute ulceration of vulva. Her past history showed frequent ulceration of oral cavity, and she was sent to our dermatology clinic for a suspected Behcet’s disease. She was presented with fever, malaise and mild pharyngitis before development of the ulcer, but had no history of sexual contacts. We underwent serologic tests to rule out infectious etiologies. The bacterial swab showed no growth of pathologic flora, and the serologic labs for Epstein-Barr virus showed positive for EBV antibodies to IgG and IgM. When direct cytotoxic infections and specific systemic diseases for acute genital ulcer have been excluded, the patient meets the criteria for Lipschutz ulcers. Because of high incidence of Behcet’s disease in the East Asia, it is easy to misdiagnose as Behcet’s disease when patients present with recurrent aphthous stomatitis history with acute ulceration of vulva. Therefore, main causes of genital ulcer in young females have been excluded, and there is no history of sexual contact, Lipschutz ulcer should be included in the differential diagnosis.