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Cutaneous Biology, Molecular Dermatology and Dermatopathology

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 6295

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Bijan Safai

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Guest Editor

1. Chairman and Professor of Dermatology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
2. Dermatology Department, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, New York, NY 10029, USA
3. Dermatology Department, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, New York, NY 11235, USA
Interests: molecular dermatology; targeted therapy; cutaneous oncology; immunodermatology; cutaneous biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The past few decades have witnessed considerable advancements in the field of molecular technology. Dermatology has benefited from these new developments more than most other medical disciplines. Dermatology has become one of the fast-growing fields of medicine and is at the forefront of disciplines utilizing these new advances. Much has been learned about the pathogenic mechanisms and diagnostic tools applied in this field, combined with the discovery of targeted therapies for the treatment of various inflammatory and neoplastic disorders.

The advances in molecular technologies have opened new research avenues, specifically in the area of immunohistochemistry and the identification of cellular biomarkers. Other molecular techniques, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blotting techniques, flow cytometry and mass spectrometry, have been employed in dermatology in order to improve our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of dermatologic diseases and their diagnosis. More importantly, we have recently witnessed the onset of the application of whole-genomic sequencing, together with CRISPR and mRNA sequencing, in dermatology, and while this technology is in its early phase of development, it can provide many new insights into the biology of skin disorders.

The intention of this publication is to highlight some of these very exciting and informative areas of dermatology and their impacts on diagnosis and treatment approaches.

Dr. Bijan Safai
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

molecular dermatology
targeted therapy
cutaneous oncology
immunodermatology
cutaneous biology

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arsenic Impairs Wound Healing Processes in Dermal Fibroblasts and Mice

by Sara R. Dresler, Bronson I. Pinto, Matthew C. Salanga, Catherine R. Propper, Savannah R. Berry and Robert S. Kellar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042161 - 10 Feb 2024

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Abstract

Inorganic arsenic (NaAsO₂) is a naturally occurring metalloid found in water resources globally and in the United States at concentrations exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contamination Level of 10 ppb. While exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and skin lesions, the impact of arsenic exposure on wound healing is not fully understood. Cultured dermal fibroblasts exposed to NaAsO₂ displayed reduced migration (scratch closure), proliferation, and viability with a lowest observable effect level (LOEL) of 10 µM NaAsO₂ following 24 h exposure. An enrichment of Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) transcripts was observed at a LOEL of 1 µM NaAsO₂ and 24 h exposure_. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 10 µM NaAsO₂ in their drinking water for eight weeks, then subjected to two full thickness dorsal wounds. Wounds were evaluated for closure after 6 days. Female mice displayed a significant reduction in wound closure and higher erythema levels, while males showed no effects. Gene expression analysis from skin excised from the wound site revealed significant enrichment in Arsenic 3-Methyltransferase (As3mt) and Estrogen Receptor 2 (Esr2) mRNA in the skin of female mice_. These results indicate that arsenic at environmentally relevant concentrations may negatively impact wound healing processes in a sex-specific manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutaneous Biology, Molecular Dermatology and Dermatopathology)

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Review

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17 pages, 458 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Efficacy of Stem Cells in Wound Healing: A Systematic Review

by Banu Farabi, Katie Roster, Rahim Hirani, Katharine Tepper, Mehmet Fatih Atak and Bijan Safai

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 3006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25053006 - 05 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Wound healing is an intricate process involving coordinated interactions among inflammatory cells, skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. Successful tissue repair hinges on controlled inflammation, angiogenesis, and remodeling facilitated by the exchange of cytokines and growth factors. Comorbid conditions can disrupt this process, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing wound healing, utilizing cells from diverse sources such as endothelial progenitor cells, bone marrow, adipose tissue, dermal, and inducible pluripotent stem cells. In this systematic review, we comprehensively investigated stem cell therapies in chronic wounds, summarizing the clinical, translational, and primary literature. A systematic search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library yielded 22,454 articles, reduced to 44 studies after rigorous screening. Notably, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) emerged as an optimal choice due to their abundant supply, easy isolation, ex vivo proliferative capacities, and pro-angiogenic factor secretion. AD-MSCs have shown efficacy in various conditions, including peripheral arterial disease, diabetic wounds, hypertensive ulcers, bullous diabeticorum, venous ulcers, and post-Mohs micrographic surgery wounds. Delivery methods varied, encompassing topical application, scaffold incorporation, combination with plasma-rich proteins, and atelocollagen administration. Integration with local wound care practices resulted in reduced pain, shorter healing times, and improved cosmesis. Stem cell transplantation represents a potential therapeutic avenue, as transplanted stem cells not only differentiate into diverse skin cell types but also release essential cytokines and growth factors, fostering increased angiogenesis. This approach holds promise for intractable wounds, particularly chronic lower-leg wounds, and as a post-Mohs micrographic surgery intervention for healing defects through secondary intention. The potential reduction in healthcare costs and enhancement of patient quality of life further underscore the attractiveness of stem cell applications in wound care. This systematic review explores the clinical utilization of stem cells and stem cell products, providing valuable insights into their role as ancillary methods in treating chronic wounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutaneous Biology, Molecular Dermatology and Dermatopathology)

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24 pages, 6142 KiB

Open AccessReview

Understanding Type 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells and Crosstalk with the Microbiota: A Skin Connection

by Thao Tam To, Nicole Chizara Oparaugo, Alexander R. Kheshvadjian, Amanda M. Nelson and George W. Agak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042021 - 07 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1657

Abstract

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a diverse population of lymphocytes classified into natural killer (NK) cells, ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s, and ILCregs, broadly following the cytokine secretion and transcription factor profiles of classical T cell subsets. Nonetheless, the ILC lineage does not have rearranged antigen-specific receptors and possesses distinct characteristics. ILCs are found in barrier tissues such as the skin, lungs, and intestines, where they play a role between acquired immune cells and myeloid cells. Within the skin, ILCs are activated by the microbiota and, in turn, may influence the microbiome composition and modulate immune function through cytokine secretion or direct cellular interactions. In particular, ILC3s provide epithelial protection against extracellular bacteria. However, the mechanism by which these cells modulate skin health and homeostasis in response to microbiome changes is unclear. To better understand how ILC3s function against microbiota perturbations in the skin, we propose a role for these cells in response to Cutibacterium acnes, a predominant commensal bacterium linked to the inflammatory skin condition, acne vulgaris. In this article, we review current evidence describing the role of ILC3s in the skin and suggest functional roles by drawing parallels with ILC3s from other organs. We emphasize the limited understanding and knowledge gaps of ILC3s in the skin and discuss the potential impact of ILC3-microbiota crosstalk in select skin diseases. Exploring the dialogue between the microbiota and ILC3s may lead to novel strategies to ameliorate skin immunity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutaneous Biology, Molecular Dermatology and Dermatopathology)

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30 pages, 1494 KiB

Open AccessReview

Skin Cancer Microenvironment: What We Can Learn from Skin Aging?

by Andrea D’Arino, Silvia Caputo, Laura Eibenschutz, Paolo Piemonte, Pierluigi Buccini, Pasquale Frascione and Barbara Bellei

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 14043; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814043 - 13 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1590

Abstract

Aging is a natural intrinsic process associated with the loss of fibrous tissue, a slower cell turnover, and a reduction in immune system competence. In the skin, the continuous exposition of environmental factors superimposes extrinsic damage, mainly due to ultraviolet radiation causing photoaging. Although not usually considered a pathogenic event, photoaging affects cutaneous biology, increasing the risk of skin carcinogenesis. At the cellular level, aging is typified by the rise of senescence cells a condition characterized by reduced or absent capacity to proliferate and aberrant hyper-secretory activity. Senescence has a double-edged sword in cancer biology given that senescence prevents the uncontrolled proliferation of damaged cells and favors their clearance by paracrine secretion. Nevertheless, the cumulative insults and the poor clearance of injured cells in the elderly increase cancer incidence. However, there are not conclusive data proving that aged skin represents a permissive milieu for tumor onset. On the other hand, tumor cells are capable of activating resident fibroblasts onto a pro-tumorigenic phenotype resembling those of senescent fibroblasts suggesting that aged fibroblasts might facilitate cancer progression. This review discusses changes that occur during aging that can prime neoplasm or increase the aggressiveness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutaneous Biology, Molecular Dermatology and Dermatopathology)

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