title: Increased expression of αv integrin as a regulator of fibrosis in Dupuytren's nodules.
abstract: Although Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by increased transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibrosis in the palmar fascia, the relationship between TGF-β1 and integrins, which are considered to be related to fibrosis, remains unclear. We investigated the involvement of TGF-β1 and integrins in the pathological palmar fascia of Dupuytren's contracture. Seven patients underwent partial fasciectomy for treatment of this disease. The nodule and cord were isolated from the fascial tissues of the patients. Control fasciae were obtained from seven patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin and integrins in the fascial tissues. The expression of TGF-β1 and integrins was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results suggest that nodules may be areas involved in activation of fibrosis in the fascia, associated with increased expression of TGF-β1 and αv integrin. Thus, αv integrin may contribute to fibrosis in Dupuytren's contracture by activating TGF-β1.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Immunology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kon
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Funakoshi
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Immunology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyashita
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Immunology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
keywords: Dupuytren’s contracture; TGF-β1; fibrosis; nodule; αv integrin