Abstract
The dyskeratotic changes in the lesions of hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans were examined electron microscopically and histochemically. Under electron microscopy, the formation of keratohyalin granules was reduced and there was a lack of lamellar granule formation. In addition, the catabolic processes were disturbed, and ribosomal and mitochondrial structures remained, and lipid crystal-like structures were seen in the stratum corneum. The structure of the desmosomes of the stratum corneum was identical to that seen in the stratum spinosum. Staining with thiol-specific, fluorescent reagent, N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methyl-coumarinyl) maleimide (DACM) demonstrated strong fluorescence in the cytoplasm of the stratum corneum and granulosum without reduction by 2-mercaptoethanol. With reduction, moderate fluorescence was only seen at the periphery of the stratum corneum cells. These results indicate that there is a cystine-rich protein in the stratum corneum cells.