Transforming growth factor-β1 in plaque morphea.
BACKGROUND
Morphea (localized scleroderma) is a rare cutaneous disease characterized by skin fibrosis of unknown pathogenesis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent profibrotic factor. The role of TGF-β in morphea remains unclear.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to estimate the expression level of TGF-β1 in skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as the plasma levels of TGF-β1 in plaque morphea (MEP).


METHODS
The study involved 20 MEP patients. Three control groups were involved: 1 - plasma: 36 healthy volunteers; 2 - PBMC: 47 healthy volunteers; 3 - skin biopsies: 13 samples collected during mastectomy (breast cancer was not skin involved). The analysis of TGF-β1 plasma levels was performed with the use an adequate ELISA kit, while real-time polymerase chain reaction was employed for the expression of TGF-β1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and skin.


RESULTS
In our study we have not detected differences in TGF-β 1 expression in PBMC, skin, nor in plasma levels of TGF-β1 between MEP patients and healthy controls, regardless of disease activity and its duration.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study contradict the claim of the substantial role of TGF-β1 in the most common morphea subtype - MEP.
Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Zygmunt Adamski MD, PhD.
Aleksandra
A
Dańczak-Pazdrowska
Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Zygmunt Adamski MD, PhD.
Michał J
MJ
Kowalczyk
Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Zygmunt Adamski MD, PhD.
Beata
B
Szramka-Pawlak
Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Zygmunt Adamski MD, PhD.
Justyna
J
Gornowicz-Porowska
Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Zygmunt Adamski MD, PhD.
Aleksandra
A
Szewczyk
Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Zygmunt Adamski MD, PhD.
Wojciech
W
Silny
Chair and Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Jerzy A. Moczko.
Marta
M
Molińska-Glura
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Paweł Hrycaj MD, PhD.
Anna
A
Olewicz-Gawlik
Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Zygmunt Adamski MD, PhD.
Ryszard
R
Zaba
Head and Neck Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Prof. Wojciech Golusiński MD, PhD.
Jakub
J
Pazdrowski
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Head of Department: Paweł Hrycaj MD, PhD.
Paweł
P
Hrycaj
morphea; scleroderma; transforming growth factor; transforming growth factor-β