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Published on: February 20, 2019
[mRNA expression of procollagen and SMADs in lesional skin of progressive systemic sclerosis]
Hai-Yan Yu1, Hua Li, Da-fang Chen
1Department of Dermatology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical College, Hangzhou 310016, China.
Objective:
To investigate the mRNA expression of type I and type III procollagen and SMADs in the lesional skin of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and analyze the role in pathogenesis of scleroderma thereof.
Methods:
Real time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of type I and type III procollagen, and SMADs (SMAD 2, SMAD 3, SMAD 4, and SMAD 7) in the lesional skin specimens of 11 patients with PSS and 11 specimens of normal skin.
Results:
Type I procollagen alpha1, type III procollagen alpha1, SMAD 4, and SMAD 7 were expressed at the mRNA level significantly higher in the lesional skin tissues of the PSS patients than in the normal skin tissues (all P < 0.05). SMAD 4 mRNA expression was positively correlated with type I procollagen alpha1 mRNA expression (r = 0.728, P < 0.05) and the type III procollagen alpha1 mRNA expression (r = 0.678, P < 0.05). SMAD3 mRNA expression was positively correlated with the type I procollagen alpha1 mRNA expression (r = 0.859, P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Increased SMAD4 mRNA in the lesional skin of systemic sclerosis is positively correlation with increased type I and type III procollagen alpha1 mRNA expression and may be one of the main pathogenesis in resulting in excessive type I and type III collagen accumulation in PSS lesional skin.
Insights
In progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), SMAD4 mRNA is elevated in skin lesions, correlating with increased type I and type III procollagen. This suggests a key role for SMAD4 in the excessive collagen accumulation characteristic of PSS.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
Context:
- Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is a fibrotic disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition.
- The molecular mechanisms driving collagen accumulation in PSS remain incompletely understood.
Purpose:
- To investigate the mRNA expression of type I and type III procollagen and SMAD family members (SMADs) in lesional skin of PSS patients.
- To elucidate the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of scleroderma.
Summary:
- Real-time PCR analysis revealed significantly higher mRNA expression of type I procollagen alpha1, type III procollagen alpha1, SMAD4, and SMAD7 in PSS lesional skin compared to normal skin.
- SMAD4 mRNA expression positively correlated with both type I and type III procollagen alpha1 mRNA expression.
- SMAD3 mRNA expression also showed a positive correlation with type I procollagen alpha1 mRNA expression.
Impact:
- Increased SMAD4 mRNA in PSS lesional skin is strongly associated with elevated type I and type III procollagen alpha1 mRNA.
- SMAD4 may be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of PSS, contributing to excessive collagen accumulation in the skin.