title: Notch intracellular domain expression in various skin fibroproliferative diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of the Notch signaling pathway in fibroproliferative skin diseases have not been fully elucidated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of activated Notch signaling molecules in various skin fibroproliferative diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical analysis of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) expression in keloid, hypertrophic scar, morphea, dermatofibroma, and normal control skin specimens was performed, and the clinical characteristics of patients with various skin fibroproliferative diseases were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NICD was highly expressed in fibroblasts of keloids and moderately to highly expressed in hypertrophic scars and dermatofibromas, whereas low or no expression was detected in the fibroblasts of normal skin specimens and morpheas. NICD was constitutively expressed in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells in normal skin specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NICD was significantly expressed in human fibroproliferative skin disorders, especially keloids, suggesting that an activated Notch signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis.
authors: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jung-Eun
authors: JE
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Joo-Hyun
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Kwan-Ho
authors: KH
authors: Jeong
authors: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Gyong Moon
authors: GM
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hoon
authors: H
authors: Kang
keywords: Benign fibrous histiocytoma; Hypertrophic cicatrix; Keloid; Localized scleroderma; Notch receptors