Original Paper

Real-TimeReflectance Confocal Microscopy, a Noninvasive Tool for in vivo Quantitative Evaluation of Comedolysis in the Rhino Mouse Model
K. Nakano^{a, c}, K. Kiyokane^c, C. Benvenuto-Andrade^b, S. González<sup>a, b

a</sup>Wellman Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., and
^bDermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, N.Y., USA;
^cDepartment of Dermatology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan

Address of Corresponding Author

Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2007;20:29-36 (DOI: 10.1159/000096169)

  Key Words

• Reflectance confocal microscopy
• Rhino mouse, comedones
• All-trans-retinoic acid
• All-trans-retinol

  Abstract

Background: Near-infrared reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive tool that provides real-time images of thin virtual horizontal tissue sections. Aims/Methods: We have used a rhino mouse model in combination with topical application of all-trans-retinoic acid and all-trans-retinol to investigate the usefulness of RCM as a noninvasive imaging tool to evaluate comedolysis in vivo and over time. Optical images were correlated with routine histology. Results: Our results demonstrate that RCM in vivo can visualize the process of transformation of utriculi (pseudocomedones) towards a normal-appearing follicular structure during retinoid treatment. The retinoic acid intervention group showed a dose-related response, while the vehicle-treated group did not show utricular changes. Conclusions: RCM represents a useful tool for in vivo morphological and quantitative evaluation of skin utriculi over time and could be used as an adjunct tool to histopathological techniques for comedolysis studies.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

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  Author Contacts

Salvador Gonzalez, MD
Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
160 East 53rd Street 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10044 (USA)
Tel. +1 212 610 0185, Fax +1 212 308 0530, E-Mail gonzals6@mskcc.org

  Article Information

Received: December 16, 2005
Accepted after revision: April 21, 2006
Published online: October 11, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 28

  Publication Details

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (Journal of Pharmacological and Biophysical Research)

Vol. 20, No. 1, Year 2007 (Cover Date: December 2006)

Journal Editor: Lademann, J. (Berlin)
ISSN: 1660-5527 (print), 1660-5535 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/SPP

  Drug Dosage / Copyright

Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in goverment regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or, in the case of photocopying, direct payment of a specified fee to the Copyright Clearance Center.