title: Immunohistochemical characterization of the cellular infiltrate in localized scleroderma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Localized scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder with hardening of the skin and fibrosis of the affected tissue as the most prominent features. The etiology of localized scleroderma is still unknown, but immunologic factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis. This study was performed to determine the immunohistochemical features of the cellular infiltrate in localized scleroderma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin samples were obtained from six patients by 6-mm punch biopsy. The samples were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD1a, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD25, CD30, and CD57. The number of cells stained with each monoclonal antibody was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were more CD1a+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD25+, and CD57+ cells in the dermal infiltrate in localized scleroderma relative to those in normal controls. The numbers of CD1a+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD57+ cells in localized scleroderma were significantly greater than those in normal skin (P < 0.05). The number of CD30+ cells in localized scleroderma was almost the same as that in normal skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reveals that T lymphocytes, Langerhans cells, and natural killer cells may play important roles in the pathogenesis of localized scleroderma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xiaoyong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wakasugi
authors.forename: Takamitsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makino
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ihn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD