title: Analysis of Characteristics Similar to Autoimmune Disease in Keloid Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Keloid is a fibrotic skin disease for which immune cell infiltration is a primary pathological hallmark. Meanwhile, in autoimmune diseases, triggering of the inflammation response can lead to tissue injury and subsequent organ fibrosis. When the skin is involved in autoimmune disease, skin fibrosis such as that seen in scleroderma can occur. In this study, we propose that keloid possesses features of autoimmune disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  To verify whether keloid possesses features of autoimmune disease, immune cell infiltration and immune complex deposits were detected with immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence, respectively, in keloid and normal skin tissues. A routine antinuclear antibody profile was tested in sera from 28 keloid patients and 28 healthy controls. Lastly, the anti-hnRNPA2B1 autoantibody in sera was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The numbers of CD1α(+) Langerhans cells, CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD68(+) macrophages, and CD20(+) B lymphocytes increased in keloid tissues compared to normal skin. IgA, IgM, C3, and C1q deposits were found in keloid tissues but not in normal skin, while anti-hnRNPA2B1 levels in sera from keloid patients were elevated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above findings suggest that keloids have some characteristics that are similar to autoimmune disease and might be mediated by autoimmune responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
authors: Research Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors: Hu
authors: H
authors: Jiao
authors: Jincai
authors: J
authors: Fan
authors: Jinglong
authors: J
authors: Cai
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Pan
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Yan
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Dong
authors: Xianlei
authors: X
authors: Zong
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Gan
authors: Ran
authors: R
authors: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007627:Keloid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007136:Immunoglobulins