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Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

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Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
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Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

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The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
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Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

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The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
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Skin Cancer01:30

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Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
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Papillary Dermis01:11

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Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
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Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types01:20

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

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Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
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Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes
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Vitiligo.

Mauro Picardo1, Maria L Dell'Anna1, Khaled Ezzedine2

  • 1Cutaneous Physiopathology, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IFO IRCCS, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy.

Nature Reviews. Disease Primers
|May 19, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Vitiligo, a skin depigmentation disorder, arises from metabolic changes causing skin cell aging and autoimmunity, leading to melanocyte death. Current treatments aim to stop pigment loss or restore it, with new therapies focusing on stem cells.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Immunology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder affecting 0.5-2% of the global population.
  • Classified into non-segmental, segmental, and mixed forms based on lesion distribution.
  • Associated with immune response and melanogenesis gene polymorphisms, requiring environmental triggers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of vitiligo pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.
  • To highlight current understanding of metabolic alterations and their role in melanocyte dysfunction.
  • To explore emerging therapeutic strategies and remaining research questions.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical diagnosis is primary; laboratory tests and biopsies are generally not required.
  • Pathophysiology insights derived from understanding metabolic alterations and reactive oxygen species.
  • Review of current and novel therapeutic approaches, including stem cell engineering.

Main Results:

  • Metabolic alterations lead to increased reactive oxygen species, epidermal cell senescence, and innate immune molecule release.
  • This process triggers autoimmunity, resulting in melanocyte dysfunction and death.
  • Clinical management focuses on halting depigmentation and repigmentation or depigmentation strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Vitiligo serves as a model for studying degenerative and autoimmune processes.
  • Novel therapeutic approaches involve stimulating melanocyte differentiation and proliferation.
  • Further research is needed to address stem cell exhaustion and cell death mechanisms.