Biomaterial Database

Multinucleate epidermal cells in non-neoplastic dermatoses. 1978

S Kimura, and H Hatano

Multinucleate epidermal cells (MEC) originated from keratinocytes were observed histologically in 92 of 197 cases of non-neoplastic dermatoses, such as lupus erythematosus (26 of 70), lichenoid eruptions (26 of 47), Hailey-Hailey disease (5 of 5), psoriasis vulgaris (20 of 49) and so on. Most of these cells had two nuclei, and a few had three nuclei. MEC usually showed perinuclear bands of eosinophilic material which also showed positive staining for epidermal fibres (tonofilaments). In all cases of Hailey-Hailey disease, close correlation between formation of MEC and dyskeratotic tendency was observed. From these findings, it is concluded that the mechanism of formation of MEC in these dermatoses may be similar to that of Bowen's disease, in which dyskeratotic tonofilaments become entangled with the spindles of the mitotic apparatus so that normal cell division cannot take place. It seems likely that MEC are a manifestation not only of malignant dyskeratosis but also of benign one.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007633	Keratins	A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION.	Cytokeratin,Keratin Associated Protein,Keratin,Keratin-Associated Proteins,alpha-Keratin,Associated Protein, Keratin,Keratin Associated Proteins,Protein, Keratin Associated,alpha Keratin
D008938	Mitosis	A type of CELL NUCLEUS division by means of which the two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of CHROMOSOMES of the somatic cells of the species.	M Phase, Mitotic,Mitotic M Phase,M Phases, Mitotic,Mitoses,Mitotic M Phases,Phase, Mitotic M,Phases, Mitotic M
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D012871	Skin Diseases	Diseases involving the DERMIS or EPIDERMIS.	Dermatoses,Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders,Dermatosis,Skin Disease