Detection of Sclerosis-Inducing Glycosaminoglycan in the Skin of an Amine-Induced Experimental Skin Sclerosis

Abstract

The presence of sclerosis-inducing glycosaminoglycan in the skin was confirmed in an experimental skin sclerosis induced by a chemical compound. An experimental skin sclerosis was first produced in the mouse with bis(4-amino-3-methylcyclohexyl)methane. Out of glycosaminoglycans isolated from the slightly changed skin of this experimental skin sclerosis, the one having a heparan sulfate-like structure was able to again induce sclerotic skin changes in another mouse. The chemical composition of this sclerosis-inducing glycosaminoglycan was somewhat similar to that of the scleroderma-inducing glycosaminoglycan isolated previously from the urine of patients with systemic scleroderma.

Occupational Scleroderma-Like Disorder Occurring in Men Engaged in the Polymerization of Epoxy Resins

“…In addition, oligomers of epoxy resins may influence the immune system due to their strong allergenicity [18], as discussed in the pathogenesis of vinyl chloride disease [21]. It should also be mentioned that we recently isolated a dermal sclerosis-inducing glycosaminoglycan from the skin of bis(4-amino-i-methyl-cyclohexyl) methane-induced experimental skin sclerosis [6]. This glycosaminoglycan with a heparan sulfate-like structure was similar to the scleroderma-inducing glycosaminoglycan isolated previ ously from the urine of patients with systemic scleroderma [5].…”

“…However, the other compounds (oligomers of epoxy resins) also showed sclerotic skin changes in some mice examined. Detailed light and electron microscopic features of the experimental skin sclerosis induced with bis(4-amino-3-methyl-cyclohexyl) methane will be described in another report [6].…”

Activation of Fibroblasts Induced by Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Systemic Scleroderma and Inactivation by Mitogen Stimulation

“…We have observed the specific responsiveness of SSD mononuclear cells to the particular GAG of heparan-sulfate-iike composition [4], which induced skin sclerosis in mice injected with it [5]. Furthermore, a similar skin-sclerosis-inducing GAG was detected in the skin of chem ical-induced experimental skin sclerosis [7]. In the present study, mononuclear cells from SSD responded significantly to the minor component (fraction C) of this GAG, and this component-stimulated cell supernatant of SSD suppressed the DNA and collagen synthesis of murine fibroblasts enhanced by unstimulated cell supernatant.…”