Leukocytes: their role in the etiopathogenesis of skin damage in venous disease.
The role of leukocytes in tissue damage in the liposclerotic skin of venous disease has been investigated. Twenty-eight skin biopsy specimens were obtained from 23 patients with varicose veins of the lower limb, with a spectrum of skin injury ranging from normal to severe liposclerosis. In no patient was a venous ulcer present. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the cell types present and provide an indication of their activity. The predominant infiltrating cell types present were T lymphocytes and macrophages. B cells and neutrophils were rarely seen. As described previously, the capillaries were greatly increased in number in the papillary dermis and exhibited grossly increased expression of factor VIII-related antigen and major histocompatibility complex class II. Surprisingly, expression of adhesion molecules endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule were not elevated, but intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression did increase in more severely diseased skin. Perivascular fibrin was seen occasionally, but there was no evidence of microvascular occlusion. Staining for the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not increased in liposclerotic skin. Dermal staining for both interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and IL-1 beta was increased in severely liposclerotic skin, but this was not seen at an early stage. Epidermal staining for IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta was not increased. All changes were confined to the subpapillary region of the skin. These findings demonstrate that accumulation of macrophages and T cells is an event associated with the development of liposclerotic skin changes that may lead to ulceration in venous disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Wilkinson
L S
LS
Department of Rheumatology Research, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, Middlesex Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Bunker
C
C
Edwards
J C
JC
Scurr
J H
JH
Smith
P D
PD
D001706:Biopsy; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D012598:Sclerosis; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery