Transepithelial Elimination Research Articles

Eruptive Vellus Hair Cysts

Umbilicated and nonumbilicated papules were present on the presternal area of a patient with eruptive vellus hair cysts. Histopathological examination of umbilicated papules showed penetration of vellus hairs through cyst walls, surrounding granulomatous foreign body reaction, and communication to the surface of the skin with released vellus hairs present in the pore. This suggests that resolution of some of the cysts in this disorder may occur by transepithelial elimination.

Transepithelial Elimination of Cutaneous Chromomycosis

We have recently reviewed the histologic findings in two cases of cutaneous chromomycosis. Multiple histologic sections of surgical biopsy material disclosed changes that represent the phenomenon of transepithelial elimination (TEE). We suggest that TEE represents the histogenesis of the epithelial changes in chromomycosis and possibly other infectious granulomas. Materials and Methods Excisional biopsy specimens from active lesions of two patients with cutaneous chromomycosis were fixed in formaldehyde solution and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. A total of 460 sections were evaluated for the presence of fungal organisms and their relation to various stages of epidermal proliferation. Histologic Evaluation and Interpretation The epidermis showed parakeratosis and irregular acanthosis, with projections of the epidermal and follicular epithelium downward into the corium (Figure, top left). The dermis contained a dense inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of mononuclear cells (histiocytes, lymphocytes, a few plasma cells) and some foreign body giant cells intermingled with polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The organisms

Transepithelial elimination of cutaneous chromomycosis

We have recently reviewed the histologic findings in two cases of cutaneous chromomycosis. Multiple histologic sections of surgical biopsy material disclosed changes that represent the phenomenon of transepithelial elimination (TEE). We suggest that TEE represents the histogenesis of the epithelial changes in chromomycosis and possibly other infectious granulomas. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> Excisional biopsy specimens from active lesions of two patients with cutaneous chromomycosis were fixed in formaldehyde solution and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. A total of 460 sections were evaluated for the presence of fungal organisms and their relation to various stages of epidermal proliferation. <h3>Histologic Evaluation and Interpretation</h3> The epidermis showed parakeratosis and irregular acanthosis, with projections of the epidermal and follicular epithelium downward into the corium (Figure, top left). The dermis contained a dense inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of mononuclear cells (histiocytes, lymphocytes, a few plasma cells) and some foreign body giant cells intermingled with polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The organisms

Cellular mechanisms involved in cyclic stromal renewal of the uterus. I. The opossum, Didelphis virginiana.

At the close of a uterine cycle, the remodelling of the endometrial stroma of the North American opossum involves removal of extracellular material by macrophages. This study provides cytochemical and ultrastructural evidence which indicates that the laden macrophages are eliminated from the endometrium through emigration across the glandular and luminal epithelia. During diestrus or the early postpartum period, the abundant uterine glands relinguish their secretory function to acquire a transient function in the transportation of emigrating stromal cells. During the first three postpartum days endometrial regression in the stroma is marked by sudden appearance of monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Ultrastructural and cytochemical evidence indicates that the macrophages engulf the extracellular macromolecular material which, in the opossum, consists primarily of ground substance. Macrophages filled with ingested extracellular material aggregated beneath the glandular and luminal epithelia, where they acquire an extracellular coat that resembles the material of the basal lamina elsewhere. A fibroblast-like cell closely invests the macrophage at the time the extracellular material appears. Simultaneously, the secretory glandular epithelium is being converted to a highly ciliated one. Macrophages, often accompanied by lymphocytes, acquire intraepithelial positions in the glands. From here these stromal cells gain entrance to the glandular lumens. At this time the luminal contents are rich in acid phosphatase activity which most likely reflects the high lysosomal content of the emigrating macrophages. Evidence suggests that these intraluminal macrophages and lymphocytes are swept, by the recently differentiated ciliary lining, toward the glandular orifices and into the uterine cavity. It is hypothesized that this cyclic appearance and transepithelial elimination of macrophages is a cellular mechanism for removing large amounts of extracellular material without disruption of the endometrium.

Elastosis Perforans Serpiginosa

Elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS) is a distinct entity. In this presentation a study of clinical features and histopathologic changes of EPS is made based on a review of 90 cases recorded in the literature and on observations of 11 additional cases. In 26% of the cases, EPS occurs in association with some type of systemic disorder such as mongoloid idiocy or disorders of the connective tissue, eg, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, or Marfan's syndrome. An attempt is made to relate the histopathologic changes of EPS with other disorders of the skin through the interesting phenomenon of "transepithelial elimination."

Elastosis perforans serpiginosa: a review of the literature and report of 11 cases.

Elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS) is a distinct entity. In this presentation a study of clinical features and histopathologic changes of EPS is made based on a review of 90 cases recorded in the literature and on observations of 11 additional cases. In 26% of the cases, EPS occurs in association with some type of systemic disorder such as mongoloid idiocy or disorders of the connective tissue, eg, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, or Marfan's syndrome. An attempt is made to relate the histopathologic changes of EPS with other disorders of the skin through the interesting phenomenon of transepithelial elimination.