Immunohistochemical analysis of transforming growth factor β3 expression in solitary morphoea profunda with histological membranocystic changes

IntroductionMorphea (localized scleroderma) is a rare cutaneous disease characterized by skin fibrosis of unknown pathogenesis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent profibrotic factor. The role of TGF-β in morphea remains unclear.AimThe goal of this study was to estimate the expression level of TGF-β1 in skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as the plasma levels of TGF-β1 in plaque morphea (MEP).Material and methodsThe study involved 20 MEP patients. Three control groups were involved: 1 – plasma: 36 healthy volunteers; 2 – PBMC: 47 healthy volunteers; 3 – skin biopsies: 13 samples collected during mastectomy (breast cancer was not skin involved). The analysis of TGF-β1 plasma levels was performed with the use an adequate ELISA kit, while real-time polymerase chain reaction was employed for the expression of TGF-β1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and skin.ResultsIn our study we have not detected differences in TGF-β 1 expression in PBMC, skin, nor in plasma levels of TGF-β1 between MEP patients and healthy controls, regardless of disease activity and its duration.ConclusionsThe results of our study contradict the claim of the substantial role of TGF-β1 in the most common morphea subtype – MEP.

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“…Kawakami et al . found that skin of deep morphea is more immunoreactive to anti-TGF-β3 [30]. El-Mofty et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transforming growth factor-β1 in plaque morphea

Dańczak‐Pazdrowska¹,

Kowalczyk²,

Szramka-Pawlak³

et al. 2013

pdia

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“…SMP, a condition first described by Whittaker et al in 1989 [4], is extremely rare [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Patients with SMP are usually middle-aged with an approximately equal sex distribution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the latter case, penicillin [5], topical tacrolimus [9], local steroid injections [8], excision and skin grafting [7] have been tried with variable and inconsistent results. In our case, superpotent topical steroids had little effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Primary Atrophic Solitary Morphea Profunda

et al. 2008

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Solitary morphea profunda (SMP) is a distinct form of localized scleroderma, a cutaneous disorder of unknown origin. Here, we describe a patient presenting with noninflammatory cupuliform depressed plaques, without any significant skin induration, pigmentation or texture change, that appeared on the left shoulder at a site of previous intramuscular vaccination. Light microscopy studies revealed excessive dermal collagen deposition with thickened hyalinized collagen bundles. Magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated tissue fibrosis with thinning of the subcutaneous fat tissue and involvement of the adjacent deltoid muscle, which was confirmed by electromyographic tests. Borrelia serology was negative. Our observation of SMP differed from previously described cases, since it mimicked localized lipoatrophy. Our observation highlights the wide spectrum of clinical presentations of localized scleroderma. The latter should be considered in the presence of lipoatrophy-like lesions for proper workup and therapy.

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Use of Imiquimod Cream 5% in the Treatment of Localized Morphea

Man

Dytoc

2004

J Cutan Med Surg

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Fibrosis is characterized by the increased deposition of collagen and other matrix components by fibroblasts. This process occurs as a reaction to inflammation and is mediated by numerous cytokines including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Localized cutaneous scleroderma or morphea is characterized by fibrosis. Current treatment for morphea includes topical, intralesional, or systemic corticosteroids, vitamin D analog (calcitriol and calcipotriol), photochemotherapy, laser therapy, antimalarials, phenytoin, D-penicillamine, and colchicine, all with varying degrees of success. In this case report, imiquimod cream 5% (Aldara), which induces interferon and in turn inhibits TGF-beta, was employed to treat morphea.

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Immunohistochemical analysis of transforming growth factor β3 expression in solitary morphoea profunda with histological membranocystic changes

Cited by 7 publications

References 9 publications

Transforming growth factor-β1 in plaque morphea

Transforming growth factor-β1 in plaque morphea

Primary Atrophic Solitary Morphea Profunda

Use of Imiquimod Cream 5% in the Treatment of Localized Morphea

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