Clinical improvement from FRM treatment appeared to be related to dermal matrix regeneration. FRM treatment may be effective in improving acne scars and facial pores.

Th2-and Th22-polarising cytokines became statistically significant in cells from atopic patients relative to those from healthy controls. Fujita et al. (14) also confirmed the pluripotent Th-cell (Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22)-polarising capacity of freshly isolated skin-derived resident and inflammatory DCs, and they emphasised that the recruitment of disease-specific Th subsets is determined primarily by the microenvironment associated with chronic inflammation in AD. In an analogous experimental system, Reefer et al. (19) demonstrated that in DC-T cell co-cultures after TSLP, allergen or SEB stimulation, Th cells from AD patients produce Th2-type cytokines, although that study did not investigate Th22 cytokine expression. In our experiments, we also observed that unstimulated mDCs had a similar capacity to polarise Th1 cells in atopic and non-atopic individuals; however, this ability of atopic mDCs became impaired after stimulation. Consistent with the results of our study, Lebre et al. (20) found that CD1c+ DCs exhibit aberrant functions in AD patients because these cells could not induce a Th1 immune response, even in the presence of a strong Th1 stimulus.Due to the prevalent initiator but complex nature of mDCs in the skin's immune system, many therapeutic approaches target these cells via modifications of their function or the surrounding tissue microenvironment, that is, topical treatment of AD with calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids (21,22). Therefore, it is important to develop methods that are suitable for the investigation of the direct effects of newly developed therapies on DCs. Consequently, we want to emphasise a third point: that LSC is a useful technique to monitor mDC functions in vitro. ConclusionsBecause of the low number of mDCs in the peripheral blood and the limited blood sample volume that is available, especially in childhood, it is challenging to directly investigate the function of these cells from patients. To our knowledge, we are the first to directly determine the intracellular cytokine profile and activation of circulating mDCs in AD patients using multiparametric laser scanning cytometry (LSC). Measurements utilising this slide-based technique allow for the analysis of specimens with low cell numbers (10 5 or less) but provide results with statistical relevance. Author contributions GN performed the research, did the LSC measurement, analysed the data and wrote the manuscript; DM and ZSB did the LSC measurement and analysed the data; KG contributed the blood samples, GM, AK and TD contributed to the research design, EGY, ER supervised the study, TB supervised the study and edited the manuscript, ASZ designed the study, wrote the manuscript and supervised the research group. Acknowledgements Conflict of interestsThe authors have declared no conflicting interests. Supporting InformationAdditional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article: Appendix S1. Materials and methods. Table S1. Data on patients, activation and maturation markers and cytok...

People with sensitive skin (SS) are those who state their skin is more sensitive than that of average persons. The stratum corneum is responsible for maintaining skin barrier function. Ceramides, major constituents of stratum corneum lipids, have been shown to predominantly contribute to the role. It has been suggested that barrier function in SS is decreased. However, we could find very few reports about stratum corneum ceramides in SS. This study was done to find out differences in stratum corneum ceramides between SS and non-SS groups. Fifty individuals (20 with SS and 30 with non-SS) were recruited. Lactic acid sting test (LAST) was performed on the left cheek. On six sites including the right cheek, arm, thigh, leg, back and palm, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and erythema index (EI) were measured. On the above six sites, stratum corneum sheets were obtained by stripping with cyanoacrylate resin and stratum corneum lipids were extracted, then, analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. LAST scores were higher in the SS group, but not statistically significant. There were no differences in TEWL and EI values between the two groups. The mean value of the quantity of stratum corneum ceramides on the face was significantly lower in the SS group. On other sites, mean values were also lower in the SS group, but not statistically significant. The quantity of ceramides was significantly decreased in the face of the SS group compared to that of the non-SS group. These results suggest that the decrease in stratum corneum ceramides on facial skin could be related to SS development.

Post-burn pruritus is a common distressing consequence of burn wounds. Empirical treatment often fails to have a satisfactory outcome on post-burn pruritus, as the mechanism of post-burn pruritus has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the manifestation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in post-burn pruritus. Fifty-one burn patients with (n=33) or without (n=18) pruritus were investigated, including skin biopsies. Not unexpectedly, the scarred body area was larger in the former group. In immunohistochemistry, TPRV3 was significantly elevated in the epidermis of burn scars with pruritus. Furthermore, real time- PCR showed that mRNA of TRPA1 and TRPV4 was increased in itching burn scars. Staining for substance P and CGRP did not differ between the 2 grouped, but the former neuropeptide was increased in burn scars. These results may help determine a specific therapeutic approach for post-burn pruritus.

Post-burn pruritus is a common and distressing sequela of burn scars. Empirical antipruritic treatments usually fail to have a satisfactory outcome because of their limited selectivity and possible side effects. Therefore, novel drug targets need to be identified. Here, we aimed to investigate the possible role of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and transient receptor potential vanniloid 3 (TRPV3), along with the relation of TRPV3 to thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Specimens from normal (unscarred) or burn-scarred (with or without pruritus) tissue were obtained from burn patients for this study. In each sample, the keratinocytes were isolated and cultured, and the intracellular Ca2+ level at the time of stimulation of each factor was quantified and the interaction was screened. PAR2 function was reduced by antagonism of TRPV3. Inhibiting protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) reduced TRPV3 function. TSLP mRNA and protein, and TSLPR protein expressions, increased in scars with post-burn pruritus, compared to scars without it or to normal tissues. In addition, TRPV1 or TRPV3 activation induced increased TSLP expression. Conclusively, TRPV3 may contribute to pruritus in burn scars through TSLP, and can be considered a potential therapeutic target for post-burn pruritus.