Expression of insulin-like growth factor-I in lesional and non-lesional skin of patients with morphoea.
BACKGROUND
Morphoea (scleroderma) is a chronic disorder characterized by circumscribed sclerotic plaques with the hallmark of increased fibroblast activation and fibrosis. Through its effect on connective tissue cells and immune cells, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I has been found to play a role in some autoimmune connective tissue diseases and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several fibrotic disorders.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of IGF-I in the pathogenesis of morphoea.


METHODS
The study was carried out on 15 patients with morphoea and nine healthy controls. Two 5-mm punch skin biopsies were taken from every patient (one from lesional and one from non-lesional skin) and a single biopsy was taken from the normal skin of each control. A 10-mL blood sample was also taken from each patient and control. Quantitative detection of tissue and serum levels of IGF-I was done using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.


RESULTS
IGF-I in lesional skin was significantly higher than in non-lesional and control skin (P = 0.001 and P = 0.021, respectively). Moreover, a significantly higher level of IGF-I was detected in patient serum when compared with control serum (P < 0.001). A direct significant correlation existed between lesional and non-lesional skin level (r = 0.618, P = 0.014), and between lesional skin level and Rodnan score (r = 0.538, P = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the small sample size, this study suggests that IGF-I plays an important role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, characteristic of morphoea. Studies on a larger number of patients with morphoea as well as on patients with systemic sclerosis are recommended. Furthermore, therapeutic trials using IGF-I antagonist (octreotide) are highly recommended in patients with morphoea.
Fawzi
M M T
MM
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Dokki, Cairo, Eqypt.
Tawfik
S O
SO
Eissa
A M
AM
El-Komy
M H M
MH
Abdel-Halim
M R E
MR
Shaker
O G
OG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000209:etiology*
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I