Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins suggesting that they play an important role in inflammatory process, in tumour invasion and metastasis. We examined immunohistochemically 330 cases of different skin disorders with the monoclonal antibody against MMP 11, stromelysin-3 (ST-3) protein. We found a positive immunoreactivity in fibroblasts surrounding malignant epithelial tumour cells in 63 of 125 cases (50.4%) of basal cell carcinomas, in four of 25 (16%) squamous cell carcinomas, whereas the tumour cells themselves were negative. Furthermore, the ST-3 protein could be detected in 23 of 40 cases (57.5%) of dermatofibroma, in two of five cases (40%) of atypical fibroxanthoma, in one of eight cases (12.5%) of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and, locally, in one of 10 cases (10%) of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. It was not present in the following skin lesions: keratoakanthomas (n = 12), Bowen's disease (n = 10), malignant melanoma (n = 12), melanocytic nevi (n = 28) and Kaposi's sarcomas (n = 25). In eczema (n = 10), psoriasis (n = 10) and virus-induced tissues (i.e. condylomata acuminata, n = 10) we did not observe an expression of ST-3 protein. We conclude first that ST-3 protein is a fibroblastic factor expressed in stromal cells adjacent to carcinoma cells; second, that ST-3 protein seems to be associated with benign fibroblastic tumours; and third, that it does not play a role in eczema, psoriasis or virus-induced skin lesions.

No abstract

A 35-year-old man presented with a painful skin necrosis after a deep ventrogluteal injection of diclofenac and dexamethasone for treatment of severe back pain. Immediately after the injection, the patient felt a strong pain just above the injection site. In the following days a remarkable necrosis developed in the upper gluteal region. Topical therapy with antiseptics and a topical corticosteroid cream plus analgesia with tramadole revealed no improvement of the symptoms. We excised the necrotic area. Within 1 day, the patient was without pain.

Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (integrin alpha IIb beta3) is an adhesive receptor involved in platelet aggregation and adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Previous studies showed the presence of IIb-IIIa-like glycoproteins on cells of melanoma cell lines and on cells of lymph node metastases. This study evaluates the presence of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa subunits on cells of primary cutaneous malignant melanomas with (n = 4) and without (n = 9) metastases over a period of 6 years and on naevus cells (n = 4). Monoclonal antibodies directed against the subunits of the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa receptor were used on paraffin-embedded sections and evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry. The glycoprotein IIb subunit was exclusively present on cells of metastatic melanomas. It was not found on non-metastatic melanomas or benign melanocytes. These data favour the role of the integrin receptor glycoprotein IIb-IIIa in the metastatic behaviour of malignant melanomas.

A 35-year-old male suffered from an extremely painful embolia cutis medicamentosa. The atypical segmental localization first led to the diagnosis of herpes zoster and an antiviral therapy. Regarding the unusual course of the complication following an intramuscular injection in this case, the question for the real pathomechanisms still remains.