Penicillamine-induced degenerative dermatoses: report of a case and brief review of such dermatoses

We describe a case of elastosis perforans serpiginosa with additional findings of degenerative skin changes. A 20-year-old man with hepatolenticular degeneration, under prolonged treatment with D-penicillamine, presented with a circular or serpiginous arrangement of nuchal papules. Histopathologically, transepidermal channels were accompanied by granulomatous reactions, with several giant cells engulfing elastic fibers. In addition to these findings of a typical elastosis perforans serpiginosa, we observed scar-like skin changes inside the circular arrangement of the papules. At the scar-like tissue, we found electron-microscopical evidence of randomly aggregated thin collagen fibers with no tendency toward systemic combined bundle formation, which is a characteristic feature of normal collagen fiber formation. Pseudoxanthoma-elasticum-like changes were observed on his neck. On his axillae and groin, slight skin thickening and wrinkling were detected. The diagnosis of elastosis perforans serpiginosa does not represent all of the manifestations or the pathological background described above. The skin manifestations described here represent not only an elastosis but also a total degenerative dermatosis with overhealed collagenosis. Thus, those dermatoses should be summarized as one entity, penicillamine-induced degenerative dermatosis. After considering the pathogenic background and clinical similarities, we further propose to simplify the penicillamine-induced skin manifestations to three categories: acute sensitivity reactions, bullous dermatoses, and degenerative dermatoses.

[Mitral valve prolapse and autonomic activity in normal women]

We examined relationships between mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and circadian rhythm of autonomic activity using spectral analysis of heart rate variability and echocardiography in 31 normal women. The heart rate variability was calculated from 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram by Fourier transformation. The power spectra were quantified at 0.04-0.15 Hz (low frequency power (LF) 1n (ms2)) and 0.15-0.40 Hz (high frequency power (HF) 1n (ms2)). The HF component and the ratio of LF/HF were used as indices of parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, respectively. MVP was present in 22.6%. There were no significant differences in left ventricular dimension between subjects with MVP (group MVP (+)) and subjects without MVP (group MVP(-)). Number of ventricular premature contractions in group MVP(+) tend to be higher compared with that in group MVP(-). The level of high frequency power at 0-5 am in group MVP(+) was significantly higher than that in group MVP(-), which parasympathetic activity during sleep in MVP(+) group was higher compared with that in group MVP(-). The evaluation of autonomic activity using spectral analysis of heart rate variability for 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram might provide useful information about the pathology of MVP.

Dysregulated expression of transforming growth factor beta and its type-I and type-II receptors in basal-cell carcinoma

In mammals, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is found in 3 highly homologous isoforms that exert their effects via heteromeric complexes of type-I and type-II receptors (TbetaR-I and TbetaR-II). TGF-beta regulates the growth and metabolism of various cell types, including keratinocytes. We have investigated the immunohistological localization of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, TbetaR-I and TbetaR-II in normal human skin, basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), Bowen's disease, seborrheic keratosis, eccrine poroma and eccrine spiradenoma using frozen tissue specimens. In normal human skin, the immunoreactive TGF-beta2, but not TGF-beta1, was detected predominantly in the epidermis, follicles and sebaceous glands. The epidermal expression of TbetaR-I and TbetaR-II was very weak in the majority of normal skins. In BCC, TGF-beta2 expression was markedly reduced or completely negative. In addition, TbetaR-I- and TbetaR-II-positive stromal cells were accumulated in the fibrotic stroma in some BCCs. These stromal cells were partly but moderately positive for TGF-beta1. Decreased expression of TGF-beta2 was likely to be associated with the differentiation state of BCC cells, since TGF-beta2 expression was clearly observed in the squamoid foci of BCC. In addition, no expression of TGF-beta2 was detected in the eccrine secretory portion or in eccrine spiradenoma, but it was detected in the upper eccrine ducts and in eccrine poroma.

Molecular genetic analysis of HLA class II alleles in Japanese patients with melanoma

Distribution of HLA-DQA, -DQB and -DPB alleles in ninety-six Japanese patients with melanoma was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, and the association between clinical parameters and the presence of certain HLA class II alleles investigated. The frequency of HLA-DQB1*0302 was increased, while those of DQA1*0101(04), -DQA1*0401 and DRB1*0802 were decreased in melanoma patients compared with controls. Moreover, the frequency of HLA-DQA1*0103 in patients with acral lentiginous melanoma was increased compared with controls. However, none of these HLA class II alleles showed significant positive or negative associations after correction of the P value. In addition, there was no correlation between these antigens and clinical parameters. These results indicate that HLA class II alleles may not contribute to a strong susceptibility to melanoma in the Japanese.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) may be an autocrine growth factor in scleroderma fibroblasts

In scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc), an autoimmune disorder in which excessive extracellular matrix is deposited in skin and internal organs, one of the suggested contributory factors to the development of fibrosis is a decrease in collagenase activity that may be related to levels of serum tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1). We recently reported that the serum TIMP-1 levels in SSc patients were elevated compared with normal controls. To determine the biologic significance of TIMP-1 in SSc, we compared the proliferative effects of TIMP-1 between normal and SSc fibroblasts. TIMP-1 showed significant mitogenic activity for both normal and SSc fibroblasts. The mitogenic responses to TIMP-1 (33-100 ng/ml) in SSc fibroblasts, however, were significantly greater than those in normal controls and were completely neutralized in the presence of anti-TIMP-1 IgG. Moreover, anti-TIMP-1 IgG partially but significantly blocked the basal mitogenic activities of SSc fibroblasts. SSc fibroblasts produced increased amounts of TIMP-1 relative to normal fibroblasts, as confirmed by western blotting, ELISA, and RT-PCR techniques. In contrast, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) upregulated TIMP-1 production in normal fibroblasts but not in SSc fibroblasts with elevated spontaneous secretion of TIMP-1. These observations suggest that TIMP-1 may play an important role as an autocrine growth factor in the fibrotic process in SSc.

Annular erythema associated with lupus erythematosus/Sjögren's syndrome

BACKGROUND

Annular-polycyclic and papulosquamous lesions are associated with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). In some Asian cases, annular erythema has been associated with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). However, the relation between the two is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to clarify the clinical manifestations and immunologic features of patients with annular erythema.

METHODS

This study included 15 patients with annular erythema. Systemic, serologic, and genetic findings were analyzed.

RESULTS

Histologic examination showed perivascular and periappendageal lymphocytic infiltrates in all patients. However, LE-specific epidermal changes were observed in only three (20%). Although all patients at least partially demonstrated features of LE or SS, eight (53%) fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association criteria for systemic LE (SLE) and five (33%) were diagnosed with SS. Renal (20%) and central nervous system (7%) involvement was observed. Anti-Ro(SS-A) and anti-La(SS-B) antibodies were detected in nine (60%) and seven (47%) patients, respectively. There were no histocompatibility antigen (HLA) haplotype differences.

CONCLUSION

Annular erythema in Asian patients is the counterpart of subacute skin lesions of LE in whites, except for the paucity of LE-specific histopathologic findings and HLA-DR3 tissue type.

Avascular necrosis of bone in systemic lupus erythematosus. The predictive role of precipitating autoantibodies

The association between the type of precipitating autoantibodies and occurrence of avascular necrosis of bone (AVN) was examined. We prospectively analyzed clinical and laboratory findings of our 113 patients with SLE. Seven of 113 (6%) patients developed AVN. Anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-RNP antibodies coexisted in 3 of 7 AVN patients. The same combination of these two antibodies were observed in 1 without AVN. Antibodies to topoisomerase I were detected in 2 other patients with AVN but not in any of the patients without AVN. The coexistence of the former two or the presence of the latter one is rare in SLE. However, these (combination of) antibodies can be useful as a local ischemic marker predicting the development of AVN.

Roles of TGF-beta and latent TGF-beta-binding protein in glomerulosclerosis induced by two consecutive injections of monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 in rats

The present study demonstrated the elevated synthesis and gene expressions of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) or latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP) in an irreversible glomerulosclerosis rat model induced by two consecutive injections of monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 1-22-3. The rats were intravenously injected with 500 microg of MoAb 1-22-3 either once or twice at an interval of 2 weeks. The rats were sacrificed at 24 h, 1 week, 2 weeks or 16 weeks after the last injection. At 24 h, the mesangiolytic changes in the rats with two injections of MoAb 1-22-3 were similar to those in the rats with one injection. The glomerular matrix score in the rats with two injections was significantly higher than that in the rats with one injection at weeks 1, 2 or 16. An increased LTBP localization in the glomeruli of the rats at week 1 after either one or two injections was detected in the segmentally expanded mesangial matrix. Moreover, LTBP in the glomeruli of rats at week 1 after two injections appeared to be more strongly stained in the enlarged mesangial matrix than that in the rats after one injection. A TGF-beta bioassay using mink lung epithelial cells revealed that the total TGF-beta in the glomerular culture conditioned medium in the rats at week 1 after two injections was significantly larger than that in the rats after one injection. A Northern blotting analysis of the glomeruli showed that both the expressions of TGF-beta and LTBP mRNA in the rats after two injections were higher than those in the rats after one injection. These findings suggested that the elevated TGF-beta or LTBP may thus be related to the irreversible glomerulosclerosis that was induced by two injections of MoAb 1-22-3 into rats.

Pseudoxanthomatous lesions with membranocystic changes of collagen fibers in an SLE patient receiving long-term steroid treatment

We report a 50-year-old Japanese woman with a 3-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus treated with prednisolone, who had diffuse plane yellowish macules mainly on the upper arm. The lesion was clinically diagnosed as diffuse plane xanthomatosis. However, the histopathological findings from both the yellowish macules and the normal-appearing skin revealed a heavy degeneration of collagen fibers with membranocystic structure throughout the entire dermis and the collagenous septum of the subcutaneous tissue. Ultrastructurally, the membranocystic structure was not due to the degenerative change of fat cells as seen in membranous lipodystrophy but was caused by the degenerative change of collagen fibers with fat deposit.

Anti-atherogenicity in women does not prevent restenosis after balloon angioplasty

To test the hypothesis that anti-atherogenicity in women exerts beneficial effects to prevent restenosis formation after coronary angioplasty, we studied 493 men (988 lesions) and 81 women (159 lesions), aged 40-60 years, who had undergone successful balloon angioplasty and had follow-up angiography, 4.9 +/- 4.1 months later. We compared the extent of restenosis between men and women, and between pre- and post-menopausal women, which was assessed by a categorical definition of restenosis (more than 50% diameter stenosis at follow-up) and by percent diameter measured immediately after angioplasty and at follow-up. Hypertension was more frequent in women and a significantly lower percentage of women smoked. In women, the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher. The location of dilated lesions, frequency of angioplasty for lesions with chronic total occlusion, and frequency of emergency angioplasty in patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction were similar in men and women. Restenosis formation, estimated by the categorical definition or percent diameter, did not differ between men and women, or between pre- and post-menopausal women. Menopausal status or sex was not an independent predictor of restenosis by multivariate analysis. Thus, the benefit of anti-atherogenicity in women does not play an important role in preventing restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 in hypertensive renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) for hypertensive renal injury was investigated in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl-S) rats fed a high-salt (HS; 8% NaCl) diet or a low-salt (LS; 0.3% NaCl) diet for 4 wk. The HS rats developed severe hypertension and renal damage, including glomerulosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. TGF-beta biosynthesis by isolated glomeruli, the TGF-beta localization, and the gene expression of TGF-beta 1, latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP), and TGF-beta receptors (Types I, II, and III) were compared between the HS rats and LS rats. A TGF-beta bioassay revealed that the isolated glomeruli from the HS rats secreted a larger amount of latent TGF-beta than those from the LS rats. Northern blotting analysis demonstrated that the HS diet led to the increases in cortical gene expression of TGF-beta 1, LTBP, and TGF-beta receptors, compared with the LS diet. The glomerular biosynthesis of fibronectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and cortical mRNA expression for fibronectin, collagen I, and PAI-1 (which may be affected by TGF-beta) in the HS rats were elevated, compared with the LS rats. The latent TGF-beta immunostained by anti-LTBP antibody was localized on the sclerosing glomeruli and vascular walls. Furthermore, fibronectin, collagen I, and PAI-1 were also localized in the sclerotic area. The TGF-beta 1-positive cells, immunostained by antibody for latency-associated peptide of TGF-beta 1, increased in the glomeruli and vascular walls in the HS rats. These results thus suggested that TGF-beta 1 may be related to hypertensive renal injury in this model.

Changes in eosinophil and leukocyte infiltration and expression of IL-6 and IL-7 messenger RNA in mite allergen patch test reactions in atopic dermatitis

Patch testing with crude dust mite extracts after removal of homy layers was performed on normal-appearing skin of 11 adult patients with atopic dermatitis and high mite-specific IgE antibody scores. Positive skin reactions were observed in 9 subjects. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from positive reaction sites at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after allergen challenge and subjected to histologic studies and extraction of messenger RNA (mRNA). Perivascular infiltration of small mononuclear cells began at 2 hours and was followed by eosinophilic infiltration at 6 hours, and the number of eosinophils continued to increase at 24 and 48 hours. In addition to the increased expression of IL-4, IL-5, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA during the time course detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, mRNA of IL-6 and IL-7 was also up-regulated. After the removal of test patches with mite allergen, the number of eosinophils started to decrease in a time-dependent manner. Histopathologic findings at 48 hours after removal showed lymphocyte-dominant infiltration intermingled with occasional eosinophils. These mite allergen patch test reactions may provide a useful model for studying the pathogenesis of atopic eczema, especially with regard to the initiation of eosinophil infiltration and the alternative increase in lymphocytes.

[Preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy of bifonazole in patients with tinea pedis at 10 years after approval. Part 1. Susceptibility to bifonazole of clinical isolates of dermatophytes]

An investigation was carried out to determine whether or not here had been any changes in the susceptibility of clinically isolated strains of Trichophyton metagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum (both leading causes of tinea) to bifonazole, an imidazole derivative and antifungal for topical use. Susceptibility was measured in 107 strains of these fungi isolated from clinical samples during a study on the treatment of tinea pedis with Mycospor cream in 1995, 42 strains isolated and stored in 1990, and 39 strains isolated and stored prior to development of the drug. The results are as follows: (1) There was no distinct difference in the susceptibility to bifonazole of T. mentagrophytes strains isolated before 1986 and those isolated in 1990 or 1995. (2) T. rubrum strains isolated before 1986 were slightly more susceptible to bifonazole than those isolated in 1995, while the 1990 strains were slightly less susceptible than the 1995 strains, but the difference was not significant. (3) The highest MICs of bifonazole for all the T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum strains isolated from before 1986 and those in 1995 were relatively low, being 2.5 micrograms/ml and 1.25 micrograms/ml, respectively. These results suggest that no resistance or reduced susceptibility to bifonazole has emerged among clinical isolates of dermatophytes since the development of the drug.

[Fundamental and clinical studies on the efficacy of bifonazole in patients with tinea pedis at 10 years after approval. Part 2. Clinical evaluation]

The usefulness of bifonazole (Mycospor), a topical imidazole antifungal agent approved 10 years ago, was evaluated for the treatment of tinea pedis. Mycospor cream was applied by 141 patients with tinea pedis once daily for 4 233ks, and the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions (as well as any correlations with susceptibility of isolates and the mycological activity of the agent against these isolates) were studied. The results were then compared to those of a previous study. The following results were obtained. 1. Mycological activity Mycological examination results became negative in 63.2% (36/57) of the patients with plantar tinea pedis, in 94.1% (32/34) of those with interdigital tinea pedis, and in 74.7% (68/91) of all tinea pedis patients. 2. Mycological activity and MIC No correlation was found between the MICs of bifonazole against the pathogenic fungi and the rate of eradication on mycological examination. 3. Improvement of symptoms The improvement rates for local symptoms were 82.5% for plantar tinea pedis, 85.7% for interdigital tinea pedis, and 83.7% for all tinea pedis. 4. Clinical efficacy Good clinical efficacies were found in 61.4% of the patients with plantar tinea pedis, in 88.6% of those with interdigital tinea pedis, and in 71.7% of all patients. 5. Safety Regarding adverse reactions, what seemed to be contact dermatitis was reported in 5 out of 127 cases (3.9%). The reaction decreased or disappeared in all cases. 6. Usefulness Mycospor was found to be useful in 64.9% of patients with plantar tinea pedis, in 88.6% of those with interdigital tinea pedis, and in 73.9% of all tinea pedis patients. 7. Comparison with former results The results obtained in the present clinical study were comparable to those obtained in patients with tinea pedis treated in a double-blind comparative study conducted during the development of as a new topical antifungal agent. From the above results, Mycospor cream was confirmed to be still useful, although it has been used widely for the topical treatment of cutaneous mycoses in the past 10 years since its approval.

HLA class I antigens in Japanese patients with melanoma

In this study, we analyzed the frequencies of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles in 110 Japanese patients with melanoma using serological methods, and compared such frequencies with clinical parameters. As expected, frequencies of HLA allele distribution in patients with melanoma reflected the frequencies observed in the normal Japanese population. Because these are different from populations belonging to other races (e.g., white), it followed that the HLA allele distribution in melanoma patients varies among different races. This differences may have significant implications for T-cell-mediated, HLA-restricted therapeutic modalities. No significant associations between HLA and clinical parameters were noted in this study. This report may help design future clinical trials involving therapeutic approaches based on HLA-restricted mechanisms.

A case of subcutaneous malignant fibrous histiocytoma circumscribed by fibrous tissue

We report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) located in the subcutaneous tissue on the right axilla. We excised the tumor sufficiently beyond the clinical margin. It was pathologically diagnosed as a storiform-pleomorphic type of malignant fibrous histiocytoma almost completely circumscribed by fibrous tissue, including fascicles of fibroblasts; this is a rare histological picture. The tumor has not recurred for three years. Although MFH frequently undergoes metastasis, the circumscribed-type subcutaneous MFH characteristic of superficiality and of histologically well-defined structure seems to have a relatively more favorable prognosis after adequate radical excision.

Testosterone inhibits immunoglobulin production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

We studied the in vitro effect of testosterone on spontaneous immunoglobulin production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Testosterone inhibited IgG and IgM production by PBMC both from males and females. The inhibitory effect of testosterone was revealed at doses more than 1 nM, increased dose-dependently, and reached a plateau at 100 nM. At doses < 1000 nM, testosterone did not reduce cell viability. Testosterone treatment reduced IgG production by 59.0% and that of IgM by 61.3% compared with control. Immunoglobulin production by B cells was also suppressed by testosterone, though the magnitude of the suppressive effect on B cells was lower than that on whole PBMC; testosterone-induced decrease of IgG production compared with control was 26.9% and that of IgM was 24.9%. Exogenous IL-6 partially restored the impaired immunoglobulin production of testosterone-treated PBMC; IgG production in testosterone culture was increased by IL-6 from 35.6% to 66.5% of control and that of IgM was also increased from 38.9% to 71.2%, respectively. Testosterone treatment reduced IL-6 production of monocytes by 78.4% compared with control, but neither affected that of T cells or B cells. These results suggest that testosterone may suppress immunoglobulin production of human PBMC directly by inhibiting B cell activity and indirectly by reducing IL-6 production of monocytes. It is thus indicated that this hormone may have protective and therapeutic effects on human autoimmune diseases.

Epidemiological analysis of prognosis of 496 Japanese patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (SSc). Scleroderma Research Committee Japan

For the first time, we performed an epidemiological study of SSc in Japan to study the factors influencing prognosis, survival rate and cause of death of Japanese SSc patients and to compare our data with those from foreign countries. Prognosis of 496 Japanese patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (SSc) was analyzed based on clinical data described in case cards provided by the members of the Scleroderma Research Committee of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. The essential observation period was from 5 to 20 years, at ending in 1994. Ninety patients died (males 11, females 79). The age of onset of the deceased patients was significantly higher than that of surviving patients (deceased, 45.6 yrs, surviving 41.3 yrs). Statistically significant factors for a poor prognosis were as follows: Barnett type III > type II > type I, positive for anti-Scl-70 antibody, negative for anti-centromere antibody. The survival rate at 5 years after the onset of the disease was 0.937, followed by 0.82 at 10 years, 0.567 at 20 years and 0.40 at 30 years after the onset. Sex was not a predictor for prognosis, although male patients died at an earlier stage of the disease. The most common causes of death were heart failure, pulmonary insufficiency, lung fibrosis, and renal failure. Twenty-four patients had cancer of which 13 were lung cancers. The current status of the survival rate and prognostic factors of 496 Japanese SSc patients is summarized. In future, more well-controlled studies using the same criteria should be performed for the better understanding and management of SSc.

Serum concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor in collagen diseases

BACKGROUND

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a cytoplasmic polypeptide growth regulator that induces endothelial cell and fibroblast proliferation, is produced by endothelial cells and skeletal muscle.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that this factor is involved in fibrotic changes in muscle and skin in collagen diseases.

METHODS

The serum level of bFGF was measured in 74 patients with systemic sclerosis, 12 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 33 with dermatomyositis, 13 with Raynaud's disease, and 20 control subjects.

RESULTS

bFGF was undetectable in the serum of normal persons, but detectable levels were found in 31 of 74 patients with systemic sclerosis and 7 of 33 patients with dermatomyositis. Elevated serum bFGF level was correlated with an elevated plasma endothelin level and anticentromere antibody in patients with systemic sclerosis. An elevated serum bFGF level correlated with lung fibrosis and an elevated creatine kinase level in the patients with dermatomyositis.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of the serum bFGF level may be useful to detect vascular damage in patients with systemic sclerosis and muscule fibrosis in patients with dermatomyositis.

Measurement of anticardiolipin antibodies by ELISA using beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2-GPI) in systemic sclerosis

In order to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of beta 2-GPI-dependent anticardiolipin antibodies (beta 2-GPI/aCL) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), serum samples from 80 patients with SSc, 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 120 healthy control subjects were examined by ELISA using purified beta 2-GPI. IgG isotype beta 2-GPI/aCL was present in eight of 80 patients with SSc (10%), and the presence of beta 2-GPI/aCL IgG was significantly correlated with the presence of isolated pulmonary hypertension (PH). Furthermore, levels of beta 2-GPI/aCL IgG were significantly correlated with levels of mean pulmonary arterial pressure. These data suggest that IgG isotype beta 2-GPI/aCL might be a serological indicator of the severity of PH in patients with SSc.

Evaluation of tetranucleotide repeat locus D7S809 (wg1g9) in the Japanese population

The tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) locus (D7S809) has been evaluated in the Japanese population. In order to detect the alleles, PCR was carried out using primers, one of which was end labelled with 32P, and PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. Using this method, accurate genotypes could be determined from as little as 0.5 ng of genomic DNA. Thirteen different alleles were identified on 256 chromosomes tested. All alleles differed in size by one (4 bp) repeat unit, and no "interalleles' were found. The estimated heterozygosity and the polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.86 and 0.83, respectively. We observed 42 of the 91 possible different genotypes. The power of discrimination (PD) was 0.96, and no significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found. We retyped all apparently homozygous samples using an alternative pair of flanking primers in order to confirm homozygosity. We also demonstrated a typing result involving sexual assault. D7S809 appears to be a very useful STR locus for forensic practice in Japanese.