Marked disruption and aberrant regulation of elastic fibres in early striae gravidarum

Abstract

In early SG, the elastic fibre network appears markedly disrupted, and newly synthesized tropoelastin-rich fibrils emerge, likely as a result of uncoordinated synthesis of elastic fibre components. Because they are thin and disorganized, tropoelastin-rich fibrils likely do not function as normal elastic fibres do. These observations provide the foundations for elucidating pathogenic mechanisms by which laxity may develop in SG.

Effect of body mass index on the incidence of perineal trauma

“…The “protective” effect of obesity might be due to the mechanical properties of the perineum in obese women; however, it has been suggested that skin strength is generally weaker among these women. An association has been demonstrated between high BMI in pregnancy and the presence of striae gravidarum, which in turn is associated with collagen abnormalities leading to skin laxity and weaker mechanical properties . This could translate into a clinical association between striae gravidarum and perineal tearing .…”

Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management

“…Early on, active lesions are comprised predominantly of fine elastic fibers but aging lesions demonstrate a thinning of the dermis and decrease of collagen content in the upper dermis (Watson et al, 1998). Biopsy tissue samples of SG show a disorganization, shortening, and thinning of the elastic fiber network compared with tissue samples of normal skin (Murphy et al, 1992, Wang et al, 2015). Although they are thin and disorganized, fibrils are tropoelastin-rich, which is likely due to uncoordinated synthesis (Wang et al, 2015).…”

“…Biopsy tissue samples of SG show a disorganization, shortening, and thinning of the elastic fiber network compared with tissue samples of normal skin (Murphy et al, 1992, Wang et al, 2015). Although they are thin and disorganized, fibrils are tropoelastin-rich, which is likely due to uncoordinated synthesis (Wang et al, 2015). Light microscopy demonstrates a flattening of the epidermis with atrophy and loss of rete ridges and increased glycosaminoglycans (Murphy et al, 1992, Salter and Kimball, 2006, Watson et al, 1998).…”

“…Pregnancy’s distinct hormonal milieu is thought to influence connective tissue that is susceptible to SG when stretched. Ultimately, abnormalities in elastic fibers (Pinkus et al, 1966, Sheu et al, 1991, Tsuji and Sawabe, 1988), collagen fibrils (Pinkus et al, 1966, Shuster, 1979), and other extracellular membrane components (Watson et al, 1998) are believed to underlie the pathogenesis of SG (Wang et al, 2015). …”

Severe disruption and disorganization of dermal collagen fibrils in early striae gravidarum

“…It is generally believed that pathogenic alterations in striae distensae, including SG, involve collagen fibrils, elastic fibres, and/or other dermal ECM components, such as fibrillin . However, how and to what extent these ECM constituents become deranged is not clear.…”