title: Decorin and chondroitin sulfate distribution in vulvar lichen sclerosus: correlation with distinct histopathologic stages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize decorin and chondroitin sulfate (CS) expression in lichen sclerosus (LS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one untreated vulvar LS lesions were biopsed, and hematoxylin-eosin-stained cases were graded according to Hewitt's classification. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies directed against human decorin diluted 1:500 and CS diluted 1:200. The control group, made up of cutaneous fragments from vulvoperineal corrective surgeries or nymphoplasties, represented 22 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decorin and CS were present at the LS hyaline zone in different moments of matrix modulation. In all Hewitt stages CS prevailed at the extracellular matrix in cases with a compact aspect of the hyaline zone, while decorin was seen only in areas of less compactness. Normal vulvar tissue revealed only the presence of CS in juxtaepithelial zones. No decorin immunoexpression was found in normal vulvar skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decorin and CS deposition in vulvar LS varies in the distinct histologic stages, which probably reflect the importance of these molecules in matricial remodeling in this disorder. Decorin may play an important role in cases of LS.
authors.affiliation: Genital Dermatology Unit, Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital, and Vulvar Pathology Unit, Institute of Gynecology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. adrianacorrea@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Adriana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: Lúcia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Gutemberg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: do Val
authors.forename: Tullia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cuzzi
authors.forename: Christina Maeda
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Takiya
mesh_terms: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: C546878:DCN protein, human; D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates