Macrophage infiltration in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis.
We stained skin specimens from 31 patients with systemic sclerosis with monoclonal antibodies to macrophages and T lymphocytes to characterize the cellular infiltrates. Not only T lymphocytes but macrophages were also identified, and macrophages were observed between collagen bundles as well as around skin adnexa and vessels. In addition, the ratio of macrophages to T lymphocytes was high, particularly in severely affected skin. There was no close relationship with disease duration. Our results suggest that cutaneous macrophages always play a role in scleroderma.
Ishikawa
O
O
Department of Dermatology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
Ishikawa
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal