Histomorphometric analysis of cutaneous remodeling in the early stage of the scleroderma model.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, is a rheumatic disease characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis of the skin and several internal organs. In the present study, our aim was to assess the skin alterations in animals with scleroderma during the first stages of disease induction.


METHODS
To induce scleroderma, female New Zealand rabbits (n = 12) were subcutaneously immunized with 1 mg/ml of collagen V (Col V) in complete Freund's adjuvant, twice with a thirty-day interval. Fifteen days later, the animals received an intramuscular booster with type V collagen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant, twice with a fifteen-day interval. The control group was inoculated with 1 ml of 10 mM acetic acid solution diluted with an equal amount of Freund's adjuvant. Serial dorsal skin biopsies were performed at 7, 15, and 30 days and stained with H&E, Masson's trichrome and Picrosírius for morphological and morphometric analyses.


RESULTS
Immunized rabbits presented a significant increase in collagen in skin collected seven days after the first immunization (p=0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this experimental model may be very important to a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the beginning of human SSc. Therapeutic protocols to avoid early remodeling of the skin may lead to promising treatments for SSc in the future.
de Oliveira
Cristiane Carla
CC
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Velosa
Ana Paula Pereira
AP
Parra
Edwin Roger
ER
Capelozzi
Vera Luiza
VL
Teodoro
Walcy Rosolia
WR
Yoshinari
Natalino Hajime
NH
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D024062:Collagen Type V / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant / Q000276:immunology; D011817:Rabbits; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D024062:Collagen Type V; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant