Usually, as a skin cells develop, it uses genetic instructions to find its proper final location and its shape (and function). Skin cells take on an amazing array of shapes for an equally impressive set of functions. In other animals, they can become antlers, horns, and baleen for example. In humans they even become the highly specialized tightly coiled thin hairs that convert vibrations in the air for the Organ-of-Corti which one perceives as sound. (Incidentally, I think this may help answer the question of how baleen whales hear frequencies that their skull shapes do not pick up).
Skin stem cells also produce electrically active cells which become involved in at least four signaling pathways used to "guide" and differentiate the cell. I suspect the WnT pathway may be specifically involved given the potential role of a positive calcium ion in triggering certain actions discussed in detail later.
As for blue coloration, it is a color not uncommon to a variety of skin conditions. Melanin contains blue compounds. Papillae turn blue in some skin cancers. Scleroderma patients have blue-ish patches of skin, and attributed to vascular causes, blue hands and feet intermittently (human blood is never blue (http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=3964). Blue and purple rashes are present in several late stage spirochetal infections. Finally, color can have a structural origin (like a sapphire) because of its refractive properties.
In Morgellons, most of the non-fibrous, non-crystallized detritus and conglomerations appear to be any (and maybe every) number of terminal (final shape) skin cells or known morphological mutations thereof. Keratin plugs appear as black dots. Wickam Striae as visible collagen (the striae are associated with new skin growth). Misshapen skin, plaques, and twisted hairs (different from the fibers) appear in recognizable albeit unusual shapes and sizes, as does lichen planus.
The well documented but baffling "glowing" and fluorescent material seem to be either or both the fluorescent sex chromatin found at the base of hairs, or melanin (http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v116/n4/full/5601045a.html) that glows red upon oxidation. (https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/133543 "Sex chromatin in hair roots — 25 years later: fluorescence in situ hybridization of hair root cells for detection of numerical chromosome aberrations"). Alternatively or additionally, one of several minerals, including those of the bone forming apatite family, could be involved. Several forms of naturally formed apatite exhibit fluorescence. http://www.jbc.org/content/274/27/19145.full "Keratin Filament Suspensions Show Unique Micromechanical Properties". Focal adhesions, where skin attaches to the cytoplasmic skeleton, stimulates keratin growth. (J Cell Biol. 2006 May 8; 173(3): 341–Focal adhesions are hotspots for keratin filament precursor formation. Reinhard Windoffer, Anne Kölsch, Stefan Wöll, and Rudolf E. Leube (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2063835/#!po=32.6087))
The undifferentiated and extreme growth rate, as well as the mutated forms observed , suggests a genetic origin as opposed to something localized and foreign. Interestingly, the gene FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor) is involved both in regulating fibroblast growth and iron regulation (in a long list of others). Discovered recently, iron is effective in boosting the fibroblast's development speed. (Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Silicon and Iron on Collagen Synthesis in the Human Dermal Fibroblast Cell(HS27). FASEB J. April 2008 22 (Meeting Abstract Supplement) 672. Jin-ah Lee and Yunhi Cho Medical Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Suwon, Korea, Republic of.). FGF2 assists in regulating protein secretion by cells and appears to play a role in the "unconventional protein secretion," a process of extra cellular protein production independent of cell secretion. These proteins play an important role in "immune surveillance and tissue organization. . . While known for more than two decades, their underlying mechanisms are only beginning to emerge. . . secretory mechanisms have been described with the best-characterized example being based on direct translocation of cytoplasmic proteins across plasma membranes." (Unconventional Secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2-A Novel Type of Protein Translocation across Membranes? Journal of Molecular Biology 2014. Steringer JP, Müller HM, Nickel W. ).
As for the more complex organic shapes, they appear to be common morphologies of cells and proteins from beneath the skin, suggesting possible actin dysfunction. Actin assists in clearing unwanted cells and protein, and it transports differentiating cells to their final placement. Actin dysfunction would also explain why so much excess protein is found in improbable places. FGF23 and FGF2 are probably not the only genes implicated. I'm not even sure they are, but given that manipulating the FGF series can cause so many of the secondary symptoms (e.g. thermoregulatory difficulty, fatigue from anemia, mineral regulation), it's a good idea to index symptoms using FGF genes. I have read from others that Chromosome 1 Q42.11, 1.Q42.12, and 1Q42.13, may also be implicated and areas to be researched.
The likely genetic link makes certain other theories less likely, particularly the parasite theory or nano manufactured weapon or surveillance theory. It is possible, of course that once inside the host, the infecting agent causes genetic changes - as many microbes do. Consider, however, that both thrive on stealth and would benefit from an unaware host. An entity capable of building and deploying microscopic machines would presumably have the capability to make such an invasion difficult to detect.
It also makes more sense that an infectious pathogen is involved (versus a congenital hereditary cause) because (1) most symptoms onset at various times in different Morgellons patients, and (2) Morgellons seems to have been extraordinarily rare until recently. Of course reports in the literature are likely given its status as a psychiatric condition. Additionally, anecdotal observation reveals that nurses and teachers were disproportionately affected which one might expect to see for emerging infectious pathogens (these are professions with a large percentage of women too.).
Several researchers have noted a striking similarity between Morgellons fibers and those from a recently discovered disease in cattle, Bovine Digital Dermatitus. Pathogenically, borreliosis burgdefori may be implicated. B. burgdefori is infamous for its ability to mutate quickly and "learn" cross-species infection capabilities. The relevant bovine and human cells contain similar proteins and inorganic moleccules. The work of Dr. Rafael Stricker and others in the medical community as well as vanguard microbiologists shows promise.
Skin stem cells also produce electrically active cells which become involved in at least four signaling pathways used to "guide" and differentiate the cell. I suspect the WnT pathway may be specifically involved given the potential role of a positive calcium ion in triggering certain actions discussed in detail later.
As for blue coloration, it is a color not uncommon to a variety of skin conditions. Melanin contains blue compounds. Papillae turn blue in some skin cancers. Scleroderma patients have blue-ish patches of skin, and attributed to vascular causes, blue hands and feet intermittently (human blood is never blue (http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=3964). Blue and purple rashes are present in several late stage spirochetal infections. Finally, color can have a structural origin (like a sapphire) because of its refractive properties.
In Morgellons, most of the non-fibrous, non-crystallized detritus and conglomerations appear to be any (and maybe every) number of terminal (final shape) skin cells or known morphological mutations thereof. Keratin plugs appear as black dots. Wickam Striae as visible collagen (the striae are associated with new skin growth). Misshapen skin, plaques, and twisted hairs (different from the fibers) appear in recognizable albeit unusual shapes and sizes, as does lichen planus.
The well documented but baffling "glowing" and fluorescent material seem to be either or both the fluorescent sex chromatin found at the base of hairs, or melanin (http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v116/n4/full/5601045a.html) that glows red upon oxidation. (https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/133543 "Sex chromatin in hair roots — 25 years later: fluorescence in situ hybridization of hair root cells for detection of numerical chromosome aberrations"). Alternatively or additionally, one of several minerals, including those of the bone forming apatite family, could be involved. Several forms of naturally formed apatite exhibit fluorescence. http://www.jbc.org/content/274/27/19145.full "Keratin Filament Suspensions Show Unique Micromechanical Properties". Focal adhesions, where skin attaches to the cytoplasmic skeleton, stimulates keratin growth. (J Cell Biol. 2006 May 8; 173(3): 341–Focal adhesions are hotspots for keratin filament precursor formation. Reinhard Windoffer, Anne Kölsch, Stefan Wöll, and Rudolf E. Leube (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2063835/#!po=32.6087))
The undifferentiated and extreme growth rate, as well as the mutated forms observed , suggests a genetic origin as opposed to something localized and foreign. Interestingly, the gene FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor) is involved both in regulating fibroblast growth and iron regulation (in a long list of others). Discovered recently, iron is effective in boosting the fibroblast's development speed. (Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Silicon and Iron on Collagen Synthesis in the Human Dermal Fibroblast Cell(HS27). FASEB J. April 2008 22 (Meeting Abstract Supplement) 672. Jin-ah Lee and Yunhi Cho Medical Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Suwon, Korea, Republic of.). FGF2 assists in regulating protein secretion by cells and appears to play a role in the "unconventional protein secretion," a process of extra cellular protein production independent of cell secretion. These proteins play an important role in "immune surveillance and tissue organization. . . While known for more than two decades, their underlying mechanisms are only beginning to emerge. . . secretory mechanisms have been described with the best-characterized example being based on direct translocation of cytoplasmic proteins across plasma membranes." (Unconventional Secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2-A Novel Type of Protein Translocation across Membranes? Journal of Molecular Biology 2014. Steringer JP, Müller HM, Nickel W. ).
As for the more complex organic shapes, they appear to be common morphologies of cells and proteins from beneath the skin, suggesting possible actin dysfunction. Actin assists in clearing unwanted cells and protein, and it transports differentiating cells to their final placement. Actin dysfunction would also explain why so much excess protein is found in improbable places. FGF23 and FGF2 are probably not the only genes implicated. I'm not even sure they are, but given that manipulating the FGF series can cause so many of the secondary symptoms (e.g. thermoregulatory difficulty, fatigue from anemia, mineral regulation), it's a good idea to index symptoms using FGF genes. I have read from others that Chromosome 1 Q42.11, 1.Q42.12, and 1Q42.13, may also be implicated and areas to be researched.
The likely genetic link makes certain other theories less likely, particularly the parasite theory or nano manufactured weapon or surveillance theory. It is possible, of course that once inside the host, the infecting agent causes genetic changes - as many microbes do. Consider, however, that both thrive on stealth and would benefit from an unaware host. An entity capable of building and deploying microscopic machines would presumably have the capability to make such an invasion difficult to detect.
It also makes more sense that an infectious pathogen is involved (versus a congenital hereditary cause) because (1) most symptoms onset at various times in different Morgellons patients, and (2) Morgellons seems to have been extraordinarily rare until recently. Of course reports in the literature are likely given its status as a psychiatric condition. Additionally, anecdotal observation reveals that nurses and teachers were disproportionately affected which one might expect to see for emerging infectious pathogens (these are professions with a large percentage of women too.).
Several researchers have noted a striking similarity between Morgellons fibers and those from a recently discovered disease in cattle, Bovine Digital Dermatitus. Pathogenically, borreliosis burgdefori may be implicated. B. burgdefori is infamous for its ability to mutate quickly and "learn" cross-species infection capabilities. The relevant bovine and human cells contain similar proteins and inorganic moleccules. The work of Dr. Rafael Stricker and others in the medical community as well as vanguard microbiologists shows promise.
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