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Alternatively activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) in the skin of patient with localized scleroderma
Author(s) -
HigashiKuwata Nobuyo,
Makino Takamitsu,
Inoue Yuji,
Takeya Motohiro,
Ihn Hironobu
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2008.00828.x
Subject(s) - cd68 , macrophage , scleroderma (fungus) , fibrosis , pathology , localized scleroderma , immunohistochemistry , inflammation , cd163 , medicine , immune system , pathogenesis , connective tissue , monoclonal antibody , connective tissue disease , immunology , skin biopsy , biopsy , antibody , biology , autoimmune disease , disease , biochemistry , inoculation , in vitro
Localized scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder that is limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Macrophages have been reported to be particularly activated in patients with skin disease including systemic sclerosis and are potentially important sources for fibrosis‐inducing cytokines, such as transforming growth factor β. To clarify the features of immunohistochemical characterization of the immune cell infiltrates in localized scleroderma focusing on macrophages, skin biopsy specimens were analysed by immunohistochemistry. The number of cells stained with monoclonal antibodies, CD68, CD163 and CD204, was calculated. An evident macrophage infiltrate and increased number of alternatively activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) in their fibrotic areas were observed along with their severity of inflammation. This study revealed that alternatively activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) may be a potential source of fibrosis‐inducing cytokines in localized scleroderma, and may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of localized scleroderma.